Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo are nowhere to be found as No. 2 Germany run all over the No. 4 team, and we see our first draw of the tournament between Iran and Nigeria. All eyes though are on the final match of the day with team USA finally triumph over American-dream-crusher Ghana.
Group G: Germany v Portugal, 4-0
Two superpowers with elite stars on either side, we were expecting a Clash of the Titans battle between Germany and Portugal, but the Portuguese were unable to get their footing and Germany took full advantage.
The Roar put it best describing would should have been one of the toughest matches in all the competition proved a “cakewalk” for Germany. Star striker Thomas Müller would be a headache to Portugal as he became the first to score a hat-trick in this year’s tournament. With Mats Hummels netting the second goal, Germany would win 4-0, leaving the world barely hearing a peep out of Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal would also lose three men, one from a ridiculous, and worthy red-card from defender Pepe, and injured Fábio Coentrão and Hugo Almeida.
Group F: Iran v Nigeria, 0-0
As noted by The Guardian both teams fell rather flat, with Nigeria fairly uninspired and Iran the same with no attacking motives in mind. The first draw of competition, a tug-of-war of sorts, but if either team have any will to get out of the group stage, they need to find their footing quickly on go on the offensive.
Group G: USA v Ghana, 2-1
The match everyone had been waiting for was Team USA against the team that have sent them home from the 2010 and 2006 World Cup’s, finally getting redemption with a “third-times-a-charm” mentality.
Before many could even focus on the game, USA captain Clint Dempsey put up the fastest goal by an American in World Cup history in the first 30 seconds of the game. Keeping us on the edge of our seats for the next 82 minutes, back and forth, shots missed and goals saved, Ghana struck back, and all America let out a collective “Oh!”. The USA win a corner four minutes later and in his first World Cup, substitute John Brooks heads the game-winning goal past Ghana. Deadline reported the rematch gave ESPN an average 7.0 overnight rating, its highest ever for a men’s World Cup match. USA’s 3 points, and Portugal’s horrible first game, could push Team USA into the round of 16.
June 17, all four teams from Group H, Belgium v Algeria, and Russia v South Korea, and round 2 of the group stage begin, Group A with Brazil v Mexico.