Ed from Harrow on text: Four centre backs and six centre midfielders from the Germans, incredible.

That's what I call Total Football, Ed.

Tony Pulis
Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"Portugal have a very, very good team ethic and they play with an old-fashioned centre forward. The important thing is how quickly they get the ball to Nani and Ronaldo because they have the pace to cause problems."

Here he is. Cristiano Ronaldo picks up the ball for the first time, sticking his foot down on the acceleration pedal to set Portugal clear. Injury? What injury. He slips in Besiktas forward Hugo Almeida, who warms the palms of Germany stopper Manuel Neuer with an angled drive.

Germany move the gears sweetly, forcing an early corner to give the Portuguese some concern. But Mario Gotze's left-wing cross whizzes over everybody in the box. Bright and breezy from the Germans.

Tony Pulis
Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"Who settles down quickly is important. I do think if Germany settle down quickly and get the goal they want, it could be a difficult afternoon for Portugal. I'm looking forward to seeing how Ronaldo and Nani do for Portugal."

Thomas Muller - the 2010 Golden Boot winner - seems to be the man tasked with operating as Germany's 'false nine'. Plenty of early possession for Joachim Low's side as they get a feel for the ball.

Germany forward Thomas Muller has a quiet word with the referee before his team-mate Mesut Ozil has the honour of kicking off this Group G opener. Here we go!

Tom Geoffrey:, external For me, a World Cup doesn't begin until the Germans have took to the field.

Andrew Priestley:, external Watching major football tournaments over the years has taught me one thing, never ever bet against the Germans.

Share your views on Twitter via #bbcworldcup,, external text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook., external

Where's your support going? Here's BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction to help you...

"Despite his pre-tournament injury worries, Cristiano Ronaldo should play for Portugal - but it is hard to see him being at anything like full fitness.

"I am going to throw in a bit of a curveball here because I don't think Portugal will get out of the group. Ronaldo has had a long, hard season and it has taken its toll. And if he is absent at any stage, then about 50% of his country's chances disappear with him."

Lawro's prediction: Germany 1-0 Portugal

Tony Pulis
Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"I fancy Germany to do really well in the World Cup, they normally get better as the tournament goes on, and it will be lovely to see how Portugal cope with them."

Ready for this monster of a World Cup opener? Excellent. The teams emerge from the Salvador tunnel, with the Germans - watched by Chancellor Angela Merkel - kicking off the anthems. Decent support for the three-time winners, but they are soon drowned out by the hefty Portuguese contingent.

Germany coach Joachim Low opts for a 'false nine' formation with Mario Gotze, Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil as candidates who could play the furthest forward. Real Madrid's Sami Khedira, who only recently returned from five months out with a knee injury, takes his place in midfield.

Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo captains his side. The 29-year-old missed two of Portugal's pre-tournament friendlies with knee and thigh problems. Manchester United man Nani and ex-Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles also start.

Chris Parker:, external Germans have plenty of options on the bench, quite the opposite for Portugal, Klose and Podolski could be a massive influence.

Andrew Harvey:, external Two very, very good teams lining up in Salvador, Germany have the better defence, Portugal the Attack, Germany to win 2-1.

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Image source, BBBC

Germany: Neuer, Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels, Howedes, Lahm, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Gotze. Subs: Zieler, Grosskreutz, Ginter, Schweinsteiger, Schurrle, Podolski, Klose, Draxler, Durm, Mustafi, Kramer, Weidenfeller.

Portugal: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Meireles, Nani, Almeida, Ronaldo. Subs: Eduardo, William Carvalho, Vieirinha, Eder, Ricardo Costa, Luis Neto, Rafa, Varela, Andre Almeida, Ruben Amorim, Postiga, Beto.

Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia)

Perhaps the huge vocal support for Cristiano Ronaldo and his team is not surprising considering Brazil is a former Portuguese colony.

"We hope for great support from the Brazilians, it is a brother nation," says Ronaldo, who is strutting down the Salvador tunnel as I type.

Handshakes with Real Madrid team-mate Sami Khedira, who lines up in the German midfield, before C Ron puts on his game face.

David Ornstein
BBC Sport in Salvador

Image source, BBC Sport

"Not sure you will hear many louder ovations than that which greatest the announcing of Portugal's "number seven and captain, Cristiano Ronaldo". There were one or two in the press box covering their ears, it was absolutely astonishing.

"Germany were first out to warm up - coach Joachim Low watching from his seat in the dugout, wearing a crisp dark shirt despite the stifling heat - and are now back inside, with Portugal still busy working on their shooting. The stadium PA system is mixing European trance with mellow magic, and one suspects the match could follow a similar pattern."

Bit of housekeeping to make you aware of - you will see the odd utterance from the England camp in between live updates from Salvador. That's because Three Lions striker Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge are facing the media shortly ahead of Thursday's match against Uruguay.

You will be able to read the best bits from Welbeck and Sturridge right here.

Demos Kalliades on Facebook:, external Portugal to win and Ronaldo to score.

Farooqmmd Khan:, external Tough match full of thrill but don't worry friendz we have Cristiano Ronaldo.

Can Cristiano Ronaldo fire Portugal to victory over Germany? Share your views on Twitter via #bbcworldcup,, external text 81111 (UK users only) or post on BBC Sport Facebook., external

Image source, Getty Images

So we've talked about Portugal - well, Ronaldo at least - but what about the Germans? These fellas know their way around tournament football.

And that is illustrated by the fact that Die Nationalmannschaft become the first nation play 100 matches at the World Cup finals today. The three-time winners, who lifted the trophy in 1954, 1974 and 1990, have won 60, drawn 19 and lost 20. Impressive, eh?