Germany and Portugal to open Group G round as favorites

Germany and Portugal are opening the first round of games for World Cup Group G on Monday (June 16). The match will take place at 1pm in Salvador. Also as part of Group G, Ghana and the United States play at 7pm in Natal.

Iran and Nigeria face off at 4pm in Curitiba completing the first round for Group F, which started on Sunday (15) with Argentina's 2-1 victory over Bosnia. All times are mentioned in Brasília time (UTC-3).

Germany is considered one of the favorite teams to win the 2014 World Cup, being the third team with the most World Cup titles – 1954, 1974 and 1990, plus four runner-up finishes.

Despite a blank World Cup title record, Portugal is also among the favorites – the fourth best in FIFA's ranking. But what really holds out high expectations for them among the favorites is Cristiano Ronaldo, who is regarded as the world's best player according to FIFA. The greatest achievement of the Portuguese national team was in England 1966, when led by superstar Eusébio, it eliminated Brazil, the reigning world champion.

Translated by Mayra Borges