Game # 12 - Germany vs Portugal

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Almost from the start, it was obvious that this game was only ever going to go one way - the controlled restraint of the German play was going to overcome the erratic flashes of Portuguese brilliance. That the score was "only" 4-0 was one of the few surprises. This is not to say that Portugal were awful because they weren't. It is simply to say that the Germans walked on to that pitch and they were simply GOING to win regardless. It wasn't rampant flashy football despite getting 4 goals, rather it was utterly confident, steady football that was intimidating in its restraint. If this team unleashes itself later in the tournament, I suspect some team is going to have a whole bucket load of goals scored against it. Very impressive - Germany is my pick to win the World Cup (followed by a very close Netherlands).