Hello all. Well, here it is, Germany vs. Portugal! I have been looking forward to this game since the groups were drawn and it really should be a belter. It has plenty to live up to what with all the goals so far, but with the talent on show today it should not disappoint.

Germany have been in two semi-finals in the last two World Cups, and with a lot of their players now heading into their prime this could be their year to step up. It is a far from easy start, however, against Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The teams have been announced, so I'll get straight to that. I'm sure you're all wondering whether Ronaldo is deemed fit enough and whether Germany's only striker Miroslav Klose will start... let's see.

GERMANY XI: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Khedira, Lahm; Kroos, Ozil, Muller; Gotze

PORTUGAL XI: Patricio; Coentrao, Pereira, Pepe, Alves; Moutinho, Meireles, Veloso; Nani, Ronaldo, Almeida

SUBS:

Germany: Weidenfeller, Zieler, Ginter, Durm, Mustafi, Grosskreutz, Kramer, Schweinsteiger, Draxler, Schurrle, Podolski, Klose

Portugal: Eduardo, Beto, A Almeida, Neto, Costa, Carvalho, Vierinha, Silva, Varela, Amorim, Postiga, Eder

An interesting titbit about that Portugal lineup. Apart from Hugo Almeida up front in place of Helder Postiga it is the same XI that started against Germany in their opening game of Euro 2012.

A look at Germany first, then. Well, what can you say about that team? Mario Gotze is brought into the XI in the false nine role, with Thomas Muller - many people's outside tip for top scorer - back in a more familiar right-wing role. Mesut Ozil is also drafted in and will probably play on the left. The attack is scintillating, but it's strong throughout.

Philipp Lahm had a brilliant season for Bayern Munich. Initially he was switched into the anchor role in midfield while Javi Martinez was injured at the start of the season, but played so well there that he became first choice. He is Germany's best right-back, left-back and holding midfielder, but it is alongside Sami Khedira that he has been selected to play this afternoon.

Benedikt Howedes played on the left in Germany's win over Armenia earlier in June, and even managed to score. He is a centre-back by trade, and I would definitely expect Ronaldo to be given a go on his flank to test out his positioning on the left. That is probably the only weak area in this excellent Germany side.

Portugal's is the fact that they still, and have done for so long, lack a world-class number nine. Almeida starts today, but when you compare him to other teams that may have claims to win the World Cup he truthfully doesn't quite stand up. France have Karim Benzema, the Netherlands have Robin van Persie, even Italy have Mario Balotelli. He has the opportunity to prove a lot of doubters - myself included, apparently - wrong today.

This game has a lot of intrigue. It is similar in many ways to the Spain vs. Holland match last week. In that game there were questions whether Spain were still on top of the world and big, big doubts over the Dutch. Van Persie and company emphatically dismissed suggestions that they did not stand a chance...

With this tournament seen as Germany's chance to finally take the next step and win the thing, we should learn a great deal about their chances today. If they are to win, they will want to be beating the best teams and in that respect Portugal is a fantastic opening match for them.

RT if you think @Cristiano Ronaldo will score his 50th international goal tonight against Germany in the #WorldCup! pic.twitter.com/3vN5fm8tJn — Sportlobster (@sportlobster) June 16, 2014

Comfortably the biggest threat to them today is Real Madrid's Ronaldo, who has been deemed fit enough to start. He was excellent against Ireland and as we all already know is a big-game player, so will really be enjoying himself this afternoon. As the graphic below shows, he's after goal number 50, and who better to score it against than Germany? Maybe Spain, but you know.

Germany were dealt a huge blow in their game against Armenia, as Marco Reus rolled an ankle and had to be withdrawn from the squad. With him in the team he would probably be in place of Ozil, which makes this an important match for the Arsenal man. He tore England to shreds four years ago and has the talent to do the same to Portugal tonight.

Germany scored the most goals in qualification (36) but only 1 goal (Per Mertesacker vs Faroes) was from a set piece. pic.twitter.com/Xq6iYTliSf — MatchStory (@MatchStory) June 16, 2014

That's a very interesting statistic indeed, especially considering the size and strength of some of Germany's centre-backs. They have plenty of set-piece takers as well, but I suppose the 3% is more indicative of the flowing football that they play rather than any weakness from set plays. Portugal, interestingly, are joint-third on that list.

The players are on the pitch and it's time for the anthems. I have to say Deutschland Uber Alles is comfortably the best national anthem out there. Sorry to those who are fans of the French anthem.

KICKOFF: Here we go then, Germany get us underway for the big one!

It is good to see no confusion over shirts for once. Germany are in white, and Portugal red. Germany have started the better team as Gotze gets on the end of a deep cross, but Alves gets to the second ball and nods it away. Early corner Germany, but it's played short and then out of play by Gotze.

Veloso gives the ball away to Kroos in what has been a very nervous start for Portugal. It's played to Gotze in the box, but he's finally beaten by Alves, who then clears. It's not long until Germany have it back though - a really typically strong passing start this from Low's side. Portugal look happy to break, and break they do through Ronaldo and then Almeida, but Howedes blocks the shot and it's easy for Neuer. First sign of a threat there for Portugal.

CHANCES! Oh, selfish from Ronaldo! Lahm finds himself in a rare piece of trouble and has the ball nicked off him by Veloso, but the Real man puts a low shot at Neuer. Then at the other end Patricio scuffs a clearance right to Khedira, but he misses the open goal from 40 yards! He probably should have scored.

You have to think if that chance had fallen to anyone else in the German team, with the exception of maybe the centre-backs and Lahm it would be 1-0. There have been mistakes already from both teams and this one has the air of a knockout game.

That is awful defending from Pereira. He has the chance to win the ball, but doesn't, and gets an armful of Gotze instead. He's the last man, but the referee decides not to ruin the game with a red card, even though it was perhaps in the laws that he should do. That's great to see, because Muller slotting the penalty into the bottom corner is enough punishment for me.

Again, if that was anyone else... Gotze finds himself on the right wing and plays a through ball for the marauding Khedira. Pepe has the legs on him, however, and gets back really well to win the ball. Germany are well on top.

Still Germany control the game patiently. An early goal was about the worst thing that could have happened to Portugal. They have set up to play on the break and now need to chase it for a goal.

Lahm has been really sloppy, but this time he has done well to draw the foul from Nani. He was tripped from behind just as Portugal looked like they might break. There's a big section of Germany fans, and they are in good voice as you might expect. No real chances since the goal.

Portugal enjoy a short spell of possession, but they lose it again with Lahm nipping in. Joao Moutinho, frustrated, sticks out a leg to bring him down rather than chase it back.

CLOSE! Really good effort there from Nani. They come forward with purpose and Nani's effort from the corner of the box on the right hand side just goes over and hits the support behind the goal. That was their best effort so far.

Almeida has been a bit off the pace of the game at the moment. An example of it just a few moments ago as he was tackled by Hummels, rather than finding Ronaldo with the early pass. He's injured and I'm not sure he can continue.

PORTUGAL SUB: Indeed he cannot, and Eder makes his way on to the field for him. Postiga was an option, but Eder is a unit and he might cause some problems for the German defence.

Poor pass there from Veloso, and not his first of the game. Ronaldo headed away a deep free kick and with two men to his left, Veloso instead looked for Moutinho to his right and his attempt was blocked.

CHANCE! Great football from Germany there, as Ozil is sent over the top by Khedira. He delays his pass to find Gotze just behind him, but Alves blocks the shot well.

You know that stat from earlier? Ignore it, Germany have just scored from a corner. It's an absolute bullet of a header from Hummels from Kroos's cross. He's run and leapt into the air and left Patricio with no chance at all. Thump.

Portugal are looking ragged, and this could be a hammering if they're not careful. Pereira brings down Ozil around 40 yards out, and they will have to defend again here.

Oh dear what a waste from Nani! Portugal break and look dangerous for once. He only has Ronaldo in support with three or four defenders, but his attempted pass is poor and Germany win it back.

CHANCE! Oh Coentrao! There's so much emphasis to pass to Ronaldo that his teammate instead of shooting from an angle tries to cross, and it's blocked for a corner instead. That should have been more.

Pepe will just never learn, will he? He tussles with Muller, who goes down claiming an elbow. There wasn't a lot in that incident, but then Pepe goes in with his head while the German was sitting on the floor and the referee flourished the red card. He's an animal, but amazingly it's his first red for Portugal!

There are about four players who run over the eventual free kick, but in the end Kroos's effort hits the top of the wall and goes out for a corner.

If it wasn't hard enough already for Portugal, they now have to come back from 2-0 down with 10 men. Ronaldo was rightly furious.

Not much sign of the Portuguese getting back in this at the moment, as Germany pass it around in their opponents' third to "Ole" from the crowd. Pereira then gives it away, but Muller's pass to Gotze isn't the right one.

I must admit, I wasn't best pleased with Muller's reaction there either to the initial incident. There was barely any contact, but all Pepe needs to do is have a word, not force the referee's hand...

This could be really, really bad for Portugal. Kroos pings the ball into the box and Muller gets lucky with a touch off Alves, but makes no mistake with the finish.

Well I never. If any Portuguese fans woke up in a cold sweat having nightmares about today, you can be sure that even they weren't as bad as the reality. Even before Pepe stupidly got himself sent off Germany were in complete control and it could be five or more by the end of this.

Where to start? Portugal have, essentially, been undone by some poor defending. For the first goal Gotze got around Pereira, who could have won the ball but got confused and in the end brought him down. Muller scored from the spot and Germany have not looked back.

The second goal was a bullet header from Hummels, before Muller added a second late in the half - amazingly his seventh in seven games at the World Cup. Then came the Pepe incident. Muller went down clutching his face after a nothing incident really, but the centre-back then moved his head into the German which is only ever ending one way. Silly.

KICKOFF: We start again, and at the break Veloso has made way for Ricardo Costa.

Realistically, Portugal cannot expect to get back into this game, but if they can tighten up at the back and stop Germany scoring then there will be at least something positive to take away.

It has been a decent enough start to the half from the team 3-0 down, in fairness to them. They have seen plenty of the ball in the opening few minutes, but Eder has just completely wasted a chance with a cross or shot or something from a ridiculous angle. It went well over.

CHANCE! Ozil really should score there. Gotze plays him through with a well-timed through-ball, but it's a disappointing finish saved by the legs of Patricio as Muller heads the rebound over.

Oh dear it's a calamity from Portugal at the moment. They work a nice move involving Ronaldo, Moutinho and finally Coentrao, but Nani inexplicably takes it off the Real Madrid man and the chance has gone. They have been a shambles all over.

Just as Portugal look to work something, they blow the chance as Pereira this time gives it away. Germany patiently take it up the other end, but Kroos has nowhere to go ultimately and goes back to Hummels.

Ronaldo has seen so much less of the ball than he is used to, and is trying a bit too hard when he does get it. He is well tackled there by Lahm, before fouling the Bayern man in frustration.

Nani's turn to try too much as he takes on two players before being tackled by a third. Ronaldo wins it back, but is quickly brought down by Boateng and has a chance for 50 goals here from about 30 yards out.

It was struck hard enough, but the Berlin wall held very firm indeed - they jumped in unison and it came off the head of someone and away to safety. Portugal work a corner.

GERMANY SUB: First change of the game for Germany, as the slightly disappointing Ozil makes way for Andre Schurrle. He worked hard, but it wasn't quite his afternoon. No matter, of course, because his team are flying.

Coentrao goes down after what looks like a very nasty twist to the groin. Maybe hamstring. He's receiving treatment, but this could be about to go from dreadful to disastrous for the Portuguese.

PORTUGAL SUB: Indeed Coentrao is straight off with that hamstring injury, and that's probably his World Cup over. Andre Almeida, a right-back, comes on for him.

It's a strange atmosphere inside the ground, with all sense of competitiveness having gone from the game. With the way this has unfolded, there's a big chance for Ghana and USA who play tonight.

CHANCE! Gotze should score, but it's fine defending in the end from Pereira. Schurrle got away down the right and found his teammate in the box, but after cutting on to his right boot Pereira was just given the time to get across to make the block.

Almost a nice move from Germany there. Kroos drives forward to the edge of the box and is almost given it back by Schurrle, but the pass from the Chelsea man is just overhit and rolls through to Patricio.

I bet Miroslav Klose is dying to get on here with the record in reach. Instead, Shkrodan Mustafi replaces Hummels, who has just picked up an injury. He's limping and that could be a blow for the Germans.

Potentially a twisted knee for Hummels, so that's worth keeping an eye on. He would be a massive loss if that's the end of his tournament. Meanwhile on the pitch Germany are not pressing too hard for a fourth, and Portugal are playing as if it's over. I'm not convinced that there's another goal in this.

PENALTY CLAIM! Ronaldo desperately wants a goal, and thinks he might have a penalty as Eder looks to be brought down by Howedes. It isn't given, but Eder has much more of a claim than some of the ones that have been given so far.

It's eight in seven now for Muller! Almeida does really well initially to challenge Lahm, but he's too keen to try to win it ahead of Schurrle and lets the winger through. Patricio pushes the low cross straight into the path of Muller and he gets his hat-trick. His odds to be top scorer have been slashed today, no doubt.

GERMANY SUB: Off comes Muller to a huge ovation. Lukas Podolski comes on for him, so Klose will need to wait.

Free kick here a long, long way out. Ronaldo still wants that goal so he'll definitely shoot from 35 yards out. One-man wall.

Lahm was the one man in the wall, and Ronaldo managed to hit him. Lahm looked a little wobbly after it hit him, but he's fine now. It certainly had some power.

Just two minutes left, and Portugal are pressing for a consolation. Ronaldo is looking increasingly frustrated as the game goes on. Meireles probably should be booked there for a tug back on Mustafi as the defender got past him.

Two minutes have been added on at the end of the half. Germany want this clean sheet.

SAVE! Ronaldo finally gets a free kick right, but Neuer is there to tip it around the post. It was a bit central, otherwise Neuer was troubled.

Well played, Pepe. His silly red card did not help as Portugal were outclassed by Germany here. It's an ominous result for the other teams in the competition. Germany look good. Very, very good.

Ghana and the USA might now fancy their chances of getting out of this group. They play tonight, but for now from me it is goodbye. Thanks for joining me for this eye-catching game.