Group G is viewed as the Group of Death, and for good reason: Two of the world’s top teams in Germany and Portugal, the latter with arguably the world’s most recognizable player (Cristiano Ronaldo), and all four sides having recently reached the knockout stages. Whoever survives this group will have to earn it.
Germany lost in the semifinals of the last two World Cups and Euro 2012, but the team is versatile, deep and balanced with no clear weakness. After going undefeated in qualifying — Mesut Ozil leading in goals and assists — they’re among the favorites to win in Brazil. But can they win the group?
If Messi isn’t the world’s best player, Ronaldo is. And like his Argentine rival, he’s trying to raise his national team form to the level of his club form. His hat trick in the second leg of the UEFA playoffs vs. Sweden booked Portugal’s trip to Brazil, and if the squad can beat Germany in the opener, it can win this group.
The US can ill afford to drop its first game, against Ghana, which eliminated the Americans in the last two World Cups. Jurgen Klinsmann – who left Landon Donovan off the squad – will face his old German team in the third game to add to the intrigue. Can either the US or the Black Stars break into the top two?
Germany
Coach: Joachim Low, who replaced Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006 and has compiled the best winning percentage in German history (.685)
Odds*: 5-1
FIFA rank: 2
Formation: 4-2-3-1
World Cup finishes: Germany was third in the past two World Cups, made the finals in 2002 and won three times, the last in 1990.
Players to watch: Low’s team is deep and balanced, from right back Philipp Lahm to Bastian Schweinsteiger to venerable Miroslav Klose, one shy of Ronaldo’s all-time World Cup record of 15 goals. But Mesut Ozil is the key. As German great Michael Ballack told the Daily Mail: “Since his move to Arsenal – he has not been the same player, in terms of his confidence, that we used to see in the national team. … As one of our best players he has to take more responsibility, and we expect more from him at the moment.”
Overview: This team is un-Teutonic with a sense of flair and a questionable defense. They coughed up seven goals in their home-and-away qualifiers vs. Sweden, and while disciplined, can be beaten with speed. But they outscored their foes 36-10 in an undefeated qualifying campaign. If the defense holds up, they could hoist their first World Cup in 24 years.
Schedule: June 16 vs. Portugal (Salvador); June 21 vs. Ghana (Fortaleza); June 26 vs. United States (Recife)
Portugal
Coach: Paulo Bento, a former Portuguese international and former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Odds: 20-1
FIFA rank: 4
Formation: 4-3-3
World Cup finishes: Lost to eventual champion Spain in the Round of 16 four years ago and reached the semifinals in 2006.
Players to watch: This team is all about how far Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will take them. He scored 51 goals in 47 games this season for Real Madrid, including one in the Champions League final. He’s struggled in previous World Cups.
Overview: Ronaldo must score from the left wing, but central midfielder Joao Moutinho and centerback Bruno Alves have to be strong up the gut. If they are – and somebody else steps up, such as the mercurial Nani – they could win over what’s likely a friendly crowd in Brazil and ride momentum into a potential quarterfinal vs. Argentina.
Schedule: June 16 vs. Germany (Salvador); June 22 vs. United States (Manaus); June 26 vs. Ghana (Brasilia)
Ghana
Coach: James Kwesi Appiah, a former national team captain is the first Ghanaian to coach his country in the World Cup
Odds: 200-1
FIFA rank: 37
Formation: 4-2-3-1
World Cup finishes: Suffered a crushing quarterfinal loss to Uruguay in 2010. After going a man up and being awarded a penalty when Luis Suarez purposely handled the ball in the waning seconds of extra time, Asamoah Gyan missed the PK and the Black Stars eventually lost in a penalty shootout.
Players to watch: AC Milan’s Michael Essien came back to the Black Stars and led them to a 7-3 aggregate playoff beating of Bob Bradley’s Egypt. Physical, versatile and proven in big games, he makes Ghana’s tough midfield that much better.
Overview: This squad is loaded with speed and attacking talent, from striker Gyan – their captain and leading scorer in qualifying – to attacking midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke 04) and Andre Ayew (Marseille). Ghana scored 18 goals in six qualifiers, and had the best goal differential of any African side, but they need to tighten their porous defense to survive the Group of Death.
Schedule: June 16 vs. United States (Natal); June 21 vs. Germany (Fortaleza); June 26 vs. Portugal (Brasilia)
United States
Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann, the native of Germany, led a record 12-game winning streak last year that earned him a contract extension through the 2018 World Cup
Odds: 250-1
FIFA rank: 13
Formation: 4-4-2
World Cup finishes: Lost to Ghana in the knockout stages in South Africa and reached the quarterfinals in 2002.
Players to watch: Clint Dempsey scored eight goals during qualifying and has eight more in MLS play. The US will look to Dempsey and Michael Bradley with striker Jozy Altidore struggling and Landon Donovan missing altogether.
Overview: Advancing through a Group of Death will be tough. Altidore was mired in a 1,800-minute scoreless skid for club and country before netting a pair in Sunday’s friendly against Nigeria, and the defense is shaky in front of goalkeeper Tim Howard. Watch for Klinsmann to employ a 4-4-2 with Bradley at the tip of the midfield diamond.
Schedule: June 16 vs. Ghana (Natal); June 22 vs. Portugal (Manaus); June 26 vs. Germany (Recife)
* Odds courtesy Ladbrokes