Portugal are without a win just as Ballon d’Or titleholder Cristiano Ronaldo is without a goal at the 2014 World Cup. After getting off to their worst start ever by losing 4-0 to Germany, the Seleccão also failed to complete their must-win task against the United States.
They managed to take a point though thanks to Varela’s miraculous 95th minute header which made justice to his skipper’s perfect cross. It remains to be seen if that late draw simply delayed Portugal’s World Cup disqualification or not. Needlessly to say, the Iberians have the biggest mountain to climb in the group due to their -4 goal difference.
Like the Portuguese, Ghana’s Black Stars have a single point but they will be confident of doing their homework on Thursday looking at how dangerous they were in their 2-2 draw against Germany compared to Portugal’s weak performance against the Americans on Matchday 2.
Meanwhile, the Germans will look to secure the top spot in the Group of Death. What is making the headlines ahead of their clash against the USMNT is the conspiracy theory linked to Joachim Loew and Jurgen Klinsmann’s relationship.
Indeed, they could just decide to play for a draw in order to kick Portugal and Ghana out of the competition. However, both Loew and Klinsmann have agreed to go for the kill. That said, football fans of the four teams involved as well as neutrals can expect electroshocks created by each side’s mad amount of willingness to score goals.
Group G facts:
• A match of convenience will put Germany through as group winners and USA through as runners-up with five points each.
• Germany could suffer a plot twist if they lose to USA by a margin that will favour the winner in the group’s other game.
• USA will crash out if they lose to Germany by a margin that will favour the winner in the group’s other game.
• A 1-0 victory for Ghana over Portugal will be enough for them to qualify if Germany defeat USA 2-0.
• Even if USA lose 2-0 to Germany, Portugal will still need to beat Ghana 3-0 to go through.
Group G standings ahead of Matchday 3 (Graphic by Wikipedia)
Infographic on USA’s Group G permutations
Team sheets for Portugal vs Ghana
Portugal's First XI: Beto, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Miguel Veloso, William Carvalho, Ronaldo (c), Moutinho, Eder, Nani, Amorim, Pereira
Ghana's First XI: Dauda, Gyan (c), Atsu, Agyemang Badu, A. Ayew, Rabiu, Waris, Mensah, Asamoah, Boye, Afful
Team sheets for USA vs Germany
USMNT's First XI: Howard, Gonzalez, Bradley, Besler, Beasley, Dempsey (c), Jones, Davis, Beckerman, Zusi, Johnson
Germany's First XI: Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Podolski, Muller, Lahm (c), Mertesacker, Kroos, Boateng
