Germany Destroy 10-man Portugal In Their Opening World Cup Encounter

Both Germany and Portugal were two of the top ten favourites to win the 2014 World Cup, and with the pair being grouped with USA and Ghana, many believed it would be an easy passage through to the later stages of the World Cup. However, Germany vs Portugal did not go to plan for the latter, and their World Cup future has been thrown in to doubt, whilst Germany's odds to win it all only look better and better.

Germany dismantled their rivals, as they beat them 4-0. Portugal were a shadow of their usual selves. A Thomas Muller hat-trick and a Mats Hummels header ensured that Germany would register an emphatic victory for their first, and arguably, most important group match. Muller was the Golden Boot winner at the 2010 World Cup, but nobody thought he'd be close this time. His first game hat-trick suggests otherwise.

An early penalty started the mess for Portugal, and they were left chasing the game from that point. Later a Pepe red card ensured only a miracle would be enough. Now USA have a legitimate chance to pip Portugal to qualification. Germany look set to be runaway winners of the group, and ultimately many still believe they will win it all.

What's next for both Germany and Portugal? Can the Portuguese recover from this devastating defeat? So far soccer fans have witnessed a classic World Cup, and with top displays like this one, fans simply cannot take their eyes off of their television screens. Who will win the 2014 World Cup?