Another spell-binding afternoon to further light up this thrill-a-minute World Cup. In the end, though, it is hard to conclude that this one taught us much we didn’t already know.
Germany remain the consummate tournament team. When weren’t they? This was their seventh consecutive victory in opening matches at the World Cup. On five of those occasions they have scored four goals. Really, we should not be surprised.
Portugal, meanwhile, are a skittish collection of individuals. Some are talented and some really are not. It was ever thus.
At the heart of their ordinary defence is Real Madrid’s thuggish Pepe. Sent off here, we may not see him again this tournament and we shall not miss him.
It appears Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream year will not be capped by a rampage across Brazil. He was modest at best yesterday but it was hard to blame him. Any talent — no matter how divine — needs a platform on which to function.
He is a diamond surrounded by some pretty ugly rocks and even if Portugal do recover to beat USA and Ghana it is hard to imagine them moving beyond the last 16.
That cannot be said of Germany. This was a remarkable performance on a devastatingly hot day. Certainly they were helped by Pepe’s dismissal, delivered by Serbian referee Milorad Mazic for a mindless butt on Thomas Muller.
Portugal manager Paulo Bento appeared to question the referee’s objectivity in deciding to send Pepe off. That was rubbish.
Germany were already two goals to the good by that time, anyway. All Pepe’s act of madness did was allow them to ease off a little with almost an hour left to play.
Such was the German superiority that Sami Khedira was able to play 90 minutes when the plan had been to take him off after 45. He was superb — so, too, Mario Gotze and, of course, Muller.
Germany played with purpose and identity. As he did four years ago, Joachim Low — their splendidly understated coach — appears to have brought them to the start line in prime condition.
Early on, Portugal briefly threatened. One scamper down the left by Ronaldo allowed Hugo Almeida to shoot tamely at Manuel Neuer, while another break saw the Portugal captain drive in a low effort.
Bento’s team never seemed to settle across their own back line, however, and they almost gifted Germany the lead very early on.
A back pass which Pepe played without looking took goalkeeper Rui Patricio away from his line. When his hurried, scuffed clearance landed at Khedira’s feet 35 yards from goal, the Real Madrid midfielder struck the ball first time only to see it pass outside the post by a few inches.
Soon afterwards came Germany’s opening goal. Perhaps Gotze was leaning in to Joao Pereira a little as the two men tussled in the area, but the Portuguese defender did seem to have a grip of his opponent. After Gotze fell down, Muller stepped up to stroke the penalty in.
Germany remain the consummate tournament team. When weren’t they? This was their seventh consecutive victory in opening matches at the World Cup. On five of those occasions they have scored four goals. Really, we should not be surprised.
Portugal, meanwhile, are a skittish collection of individuals. Some are talented and some really are not. It was ever thus.
At the heart of their ordinary defence is Real Madrid’s thuggish Pepe. Sent off here, we may not see him again this tournament and we shall not miss him.
It appears Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream year will not be capped by a rampage across Brazil. He was modest at best yesterday but it was hard to blame him. Any talent — no matter how divine — needs a platform on which to function.
He is a diamond surrounded by some pretty ugly rocks and even if Portugal do recover to beat USA and Ghana it is hard to imagine them moving beyond the last 16.
That cannot be said of Germany. This was a remarkable performance on a devastatingly hot day. Certainly they were helped by Pepe’s dismissal, delivered by Serbian referee Milorad Mazic for a mindless butt on Thomas Muller.
Portugal manager Paulo Bento appeared to question the referee’s objectivity in deciding to send Pepe off. That was rubbish.
Germany were already two goals to the good by that time, anyway. All Pepe’s act of madness did was allow them to ease off a little with almost an hour left to play.
Such was the German superiority that Sami Khedira was able to play 90 minutes when the plan had been to take him off after 45. He was superb — so, too, Mario Gotze and, of course, Muller.
Germany played with purpose and identity. As he did four years ago, Joachim Low — their splendidly understated coach — appears to have brought them to the start line in prime condition.
Early on, Portugal briefly threatened. One scamper down the left by Ronaldo allowed Hugo Almeida to shoot tamely at Manuel Neuer, while another break saw the Portugal captain drive in a low effort.
Bento’s team never seemed to settle across their own back line, however, and they almost gifted Germany the lead very early on.
A back pass which Pepe played without looking took goalkeeper Rui Patricio away from his line. When his hurried, scuffed clearance landed at Khedira’s feet 35 yards from goal, the Real Madrid midfielder struck the ball first time only to see it pass outside the post by a few inches.
Soon afterwards came Germany’s opening goal. Perhaps Gotze was leaning in to Joao Pereira a little as the two men tussled in the area, but the Portuguese defender did seem to have a grip of his opponent. After Gotze fell down, Muller stepped up to stroke the penalty in.
posted from Bloggeroid
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