Mueller hits hat-trick as Germany rout Portugal

Thomas Mueller scored a hat-trick as Germany drubbed a 10-man Portugal 4-0 in their World Cup Group G opener in Salvador, Brazil, on Monday. Mueller, who led the 2010 World Cup football finals with 5 goals, was ruthless against a weak Portugal team that was clearly outplayed despite the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo. With Chancellor Angela Merkel supporting in the stands, the Germans celebrated their 100th World Cup match with a rousing victory that was virtually assured by halftime. ‘After 20 minutes, we looked up at the clock and thought it was going to be a long day,’ Mueller said. ‘But we got into the match very well and when you lead by 2-0 in this heat and then even get the third, it was all over.’ Germany always aim to have an impressive start and they certainly did this time. Four years ago, Germany started with a 4-0 win over Australia and reached the semifinals. Mueller scored either side of Mats Hummels’ headed goal as Germany took a 3-0 lead at the break, and added his third goal in the 81st. Ronaldo started at Arena Fonte Nova stadium after overcoming a knee injury. He faded after threatening early in the match, including a shot from a break that Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer could only block, but there was nobody from Portugal to pounce on the rebound. Portugal was already 2-0 down before Pepe was red carded in the 37th minute for apparently head-butting Mueller when the German player was sitting on the ground. Pepe had stuck his hand into Mueller’s face and the German went down, according to AP.