Germany Posts Most Lopsided Win Of Young World Cup 2010, Beats Australia 4-0

The match may have been decided after eight minutes. That’s when Lukas Podolski not only scored Germany’s opening goal, but he forced an Australia team set-up to play conservatively to start chasing the match.

Socceroos’ coach Pim Verbeek benched striker Joshua Kennedy and winger Mark Breciano, moved Tim Cahill to striker, and set-out his team to play deeper and tighter than then usual. But when Podolski’s left-footed shot went off Mark Schwarzer’s hand and into the net in the eighth minute, Verbeek’s lineup choices left the Socceroos ill-equipped to get back into the match.

That task became more difficult in the 27th minute when Miroslav Klose headed in the second goal, finishing a cross from an uncontested Philip Lahm to beat Schwarzer, who failed to get to the cross when coming off his line. Germany would take the 2-0 lead into half, with Australis failing to challenge the German net from the eighth minute on.

Shortly after half, Australia incurred a blow that could define their tournament when Tim Cahill was shown a straight red card. Tracking back to try an regain possession after an Australi turnover, Cahill went through Bastian Schweinsteiger from behind, quickly seeing red from referee Julian Rodriguez Santiago.

Cahill will be suspended for Australia’s next match with Ghana and, in all likelihood, will likely miss two more matches for seeing the straight red for what was judged a violent tackle.

Shortly after, Germany went up 3-0 through Thomas Muller, with Mesut Ozil finding substitute Cacau for a fourth.

The win put Germany on top of Group D, even on points with Ghana ahead of their second match, against Serbia. Australia will face the Black Stars.