Salvador (Brazil), June 16: Three-time champions Germany made a memorable start in their 2014 Fifa World Cup campaign when they trounced Portugal 4-0 at a packed Arena Fonte Nova on Monday.

Thomas Muller, who plays for FC Bayern Munich, scored a hat-trick, the first of this World Cup, to make his team's 100th match at the World Cup finals a memorable one. It was also their second victory over the Portugal in the World Cup. They had beaten the same opponent 3-1 to finish third in the 2006 edition in their home turf.

Germany have scored 4 or more goals in the opening games of last 4 WCs

The 4-0 score-line also ensured that the Germans have scored four goals in three of their last four matches in the World Cup. They had beaten England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0 in the pre-quarter finals and quarter-finals in the 2010 edition in South Africa. They had lost 0-1 to Spain, the eventual champions but defeated Uruguay 3-2 in the third place decider match.

The 4-0 score-line also meant that Germany have scored four or more goals in their opening matches in the last four World Cups. They had demolished Saudi Arabia 8-0 in 2002, beat Costa Rica 4-2 in 2006 and Australia 4-0 in 2010.

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