Germany figured to be the favorites, and many expected them to win against Portugal.
But few could have predicted this!
Germany absolutely demolished the Portugese, taking an early lead on a penalty kick goal, and never looking back after that.
Portugal had some early near misses, and looked pretty good for the first few minutes. But once Germany scored that first goal, Portugal never seemed that they were really ever back in it.
And it did not take long for Germany to score in this game, either. Thomas Müller was rewarded a penalty kick in the 12th minute, and he made it count, grabbing a 1-0 lead for Germany. It was the first of three goals for him on the day.
Mats Hummels was able to follow that up with a goal in the 32 minute, and the route was on.
With a comfortable 2-0 lead, the Germans played with precision, aiming to choke the life out of a listless Portuguese team that, by that point, was just trying to avoid humiliation.
They didn't.
In the extra time just before the first half ended, Müller added yet another goal, and it was clear that this was going to be Germany's day.
Müller would add one more goal in the 78th minute to close out the scoring, giving Germany a decisive 4-0 victory, and putting Portugal in a big hole right away in this World Cup tournament, in a game that was quite reminiscent of the Spanish debacle a few days ago against Netherlands. This just might not be a good tournament for the Iberian peninsula, but it's a bit too early to discount either of those teams just yet, after each had a horrific start.
By the time that they fell behind so badly, you almost got to wondering why they are among the most feared and highly ranked teams in the world.
Iran 0, Nigeria 0
The World Cup had it's first tie-game yesterday, with a 0-0 draw between Nigeria and Iran.
Neither team was able to score, although Nigeria dominated the time of possession and showed their dynamic athleticism throughout.
Nigeria had a great scoring opportunity in the 8th minute, but just could not get it to the back of the net.
Similarly, Iran had an excellent chance to score in the 34th minute, but Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama was able to make the save, and keep Iran off the board.
Both teams seemed to have some opportunities but, in the end, neither team was able to score, in what proved to be the least interesting and inspiring game of this World Cup so far.
United States 2, Ghana 1
Facing the team that beat them in both of the previous World Cup tournaments, the US National Team was determined to get the win this time around, and get this World Cup off to a solid start. Both teams needed it, because in a group that consists of Germany and Portugal as the other teams, you had better take anything that you can get, as nothing is likely to be given to them.
The United States got the job done, with Clint Dempsey scoring in the very first minute, the earliest goal scored in any game in this World Cup so far, to get the US off to a very strong start and an early 1-0 lead.
But after a misleading early goal that suggested that this might become a shootout, there was no scoring for the vast majority of the game, as Ghana tried desperately to break through and tie the game, while the United States fought to make the 1-0 lead stand.
Ghana is a talented team, and in the 82nd minute, Andre Ayew was able to finally notch a goal to tie it. It appeared to be a demoralizing goal that threatened the chance for the United States to get the crucial victory.
At least, that is, until a few minutes later, when John Brooks was able to get a quick goal, and the United States retook the lead with very little time left.
Ghana was unable to answer this time, and the United States was able not only to exact a measure of revenge against Ghana, but also to collect three crucial points after the first game, with Portugal and then Germany waiting in the wings for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment