This was in the first Group G encounter played on Monday, June 16, 2014.

Many people expected fireworks from what may be described as a clash of the titans pitting the second team on Fifa ranking, Germany against the fourth, Portugal. However the epic encounter of Group G turned out to be an easy walk-over for the Germans.

Action was expected from Portugal especially with the FIFA world best player of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo playing but it was the Germans who demonstrated a real thirst for victory, taking initiative as soon as the ball was set rolling. Their effort paid-off as early as the 12^th minute when Muller obtained the curtain raiser from the penalty spot. After the first goal, many expected retaliation from Portugal but it was the Germans who keep on the steam.

At the 32^nd minute, Hummel headed in a corner kick to obtain a precious second goal. Muller’s name again figured on the score board seconds to the half time break. Things went worse for Portugal as Pepe was given matching orders out of the field after an anti-sporting behaviour on a fouled German player.

Though reduced to ten men, the Portuguese stepped up the tempo of the game upon resumption of play for the second half but multiplied misses upfront. Against the physiognomy of the game, the German got a fourth goal at the 78^th minute through Muller once more to seal the fate of the Portuguese. The 24-year-old scored five goals to win the Golden Boot in South Africa four years ago and he took his total at this tournament to eight with a sensational performance in the 'false nine' position. Portugal like Cameroon already have their backs to the world after just one game and will therefore be out for a kill in their next outing in the competition.