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WC MOTD Preview: Germany V Portugal

By on June 15, 2014

Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador.
KO time: 17:00 BST

It’s safe to say Brazil 2014 has begun with a bang, the total opposite to that four years ago in South Africa. The media have put so much emphasis into the state of the pitches and the sky-high costs of the tournament, it seems like they almost forgot about what 32 nations are here for – and that is an absolute festival of football and we have not been disappointed.

Today’s first match sees the opening of World Cup group G, with European heavyweights Germany and Portugal going head to head in what should be a highly fought contest with some of the world’s best players sure to be on show.

Germany will be looking to make light work of a Portugal side who finished second in their qualifying group behind an impressive Russian side, but they won’t get it all their own way. Portugal possess arguably the world’s best player at this moment in time and as we have seen so many times this season, Cristiano Ronaldo can carry a team. Portugal have goalscorers all over the field, with reliant defender Bruno Alves picking up four goals in qualifying as well, along with 31-year-old striker Helder Postiga, who will look to make a big impression after a disappointing club season where he was loaned out to Italian outfit Lazio from parent club Valencia.

The German side will be obvious favourites to win the game, though, and are amongst the favourites to win the competition outright. It’s hard to argue against the fact that on their day they take apart any national team in the tournament. However, this is the World Cup and almost anything can happen, you only have to take a look at Friday nights game between Spain and the Netherlands to realise that.

Germany won a relatively easy qualifying group scoring 36 goals in the process; this further highlights the Germans overwhelming attacking intent with an attack boasting the likes of Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze and the evergreen Miroslav Klose. Injuries have meant that manager Joachim Low has not been able to take the squad he would have liked to, with the likes of Dortmund attacking midfielder Marco Reus injured in the run up to the tournament.

With the array of attacking talent on show in this game I cannot see it being a low-scoring contest and I believe both teams will go for the jugular, as defeat for one of these teams puts a huge amount of pressure on them in their remaining games and with both the USA and Ghana vying for a place in the next round it will be hard to progress in the tournament for the side that is defeated here.

Prediction: Germany 3-2 Portugal

I suggest you put any plans you have aside for this one as it is sure to be a blockbuster, and you won’t want to miss it. I will also be providing live commentary of the match – make sure come and join me on Football Every Day!

About Callum Kenwright

Evertonian. Angler. Oasis. Spanish Football. Aspiring Football Journalist.