Germany made a great start to the last 16 of the World Cup with a convincing 4-0 win over Portugal. Their next opponents will be the likes of Ghana and United States before they start to think about the latter stages of the competition. This impressive opening to the competition means that Germany are now closer to the last 16 after having played just one match. Thomas Müller was a star of the encounter after grabbing three goals in his first hat-trick for the German national team. Even more impressive is his record at World Cup finals.
Former Brazilian striker Ronaldo is the top scorer at World Cup finals with 14 to his name, while German striker Miroslav Klose, who has not retired yet, trails him by just one goal. Klose, however, has this final opportunity to create a record, but Müller looks on course to beat in the 14 goal for quite comfortably. The 24-year-old already has nine World Cup goals to his name and he has played just eight matches. He could become the fastest to hit double figures in World Cup goals. Given that he still has at least 10 years of top-level football left in him, many expect him to beat Ronaldo’s tally.
German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also thinks the same. “He (Muller) is at the top level. He comes alive in a World Cup. But in the last two major tournaments he did not start the semi-finals and on both occasions we lost the game. So we hope he will be okay and ready for the next games,” said the Bayern Munich goalkeeper ahead of the match against Ghana. Neuer was a major injury doubt prior to the tournament, but he recovered sufficiently to start against Portugal. Neuer is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.