Group G - GER | POR | GHA | USA

Match threads in here.

TAB backing ze Germans and Portugal.

Hard to go past that if Ronaldo is fit.

Tantalising - all four have looked the goods in friendlies this past week.

Frothing for this one. Hold me back.

Schland O Schland!

1. Germany

2. Ghana

3. Portugal

4. USA

Thinking portugal with have the goods to move into second.  Ghana is to unpredictable 

1. Germany

2. USA

I think the USA sneak into 2nd place.

Germans to top it. Dog fight for the rest.

Talk of Lahm into midfield with Boateng at RB and Hoewedes at LB. So 4 CBs. Goetze false nine with Schuerrle on the left and Mueller on the right.

Of course, if Ricki was coaching Germany, Klose would be at DM.

I only saw one or two games of Bayern with Lahm in DM and he didn't look out of place, for sure. But I think that was in a different kind of tactical setup to what Germany will play, and that the bigger concern isn't Lahm out of position but 2 CBs at FB. I think Boateng especially is prone to being caught out of position even when he's playing at CB so in a different role he may struggle. Especially if say, Ronaldo, drifts wider and targets him.

Yeah, looking at the balance of the squad you would think Lahm might be better suited to FB, though I think Loew wants Boateng against Ronaldo and Lahm to strengthen midfield defence, you don't lose much with ball retention or movement with him there. Wouldn't surprise me to see Lahm in midfield, staying deep and allowing cover if Boateng gets forward and reducing risk of counter attack. Boateng also matches up better with Ronaldo in the air. I don't understand talk of Hoewedes at LB, would have thought Durm. 

Such Portugal, much Pepe. Wow. Portugal in big trouble now.

Pepe is such a nugget.

"I no get freekick against me. I head but you"

I was actually hoping that Ronaldo would start crying and the cameras zoomed in on it. Portugal are complete ass thus far.

*forehead kiss*

all good for Ghana if Germany keep scoring

So many lolz. So much Ronaldo pain.

Portugal were shithouse. Opens up a massive chance for Ghana/USA to try to get out of the group.

I thought the same. For all the faffing about that Ronaldo does, he has never performed at a WC. Today did not instill me with any thoughts that the rest of the games would be any different. He just carries on like a petulant child and the sooner they are knocked out, the better.

That was fun! Ronaldo gets over hyped by the media, football is team effort.
Portugal got outplayed by a well performing German team. The result could be even higher.

Popular tweet:
Thomas Müller has more World Cup goals than Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney and Ibrahimović combined! #GERPOR

Wow. What the fark was pepe think!?! Totally ridiculous.

Ghana could have had this game several times over if they didn't insists on crossing everything. They looked much more potent with the ball on the ground

Agreed. I have a feeling Portugal are still in this, USA looked pretty average. If Portugal beat them it throws the group wide open.

Portugal vs Germany heatmap

Gonna be a great group this one.

US looked absolute pants yet got the points.

Ghana/Portugal might be just about evenly matched. 

Down to the wire...

Germany vs Ghana 2:2
Germany played not good, took to often tempo out of the game and gave Ghana to much time to re-group. They can't be happy about the result.

hate Germany. Great game - thought Ghana were gonna do it for a bit there

ghana should of won

Ghana are both fantastic and frustrating to watch. So many times some attacker will go for glory with a long range shot when just a bit more patience and interplay would probably set up much better chances. Case in point, the guy who blew the chance for Ghana going 3-1 up by ignoring his two team mates steaming into the box and going for the speculator instead. Unforgivably selfish.

Germany vs Ghana: tTeamwork vs individual skill & athleticism.

Germany vs Ghana: Teamwork vs individual skill & athleticism.

Germany has enough chances in the last 15 mins to have won it easily.

Great save by the US goalie in about the 42nd minute.

Guardian UK ....making it possible for Birko fans to enjoy it with the rest of us ,....

" The sad man skewed his clearance to the happy shaved man and he shot past the falling bald man."

USA USA USA USA!!

wow! awesome

Dempsey with the CockVolley.    Dura must be proud.