FIFA World Cup: After Messi, Neymar, can Ronaldo score for Portugal in first match?

Zee Media Bureau/Suyash Srivastava

New Delhi: As Portugal take on Germany in a much-anticipated match, all eyes would be on Cristiano Ronaldo and he would be keen to score a goal in the first match, just like Neymar and Lionel Messi did for their respective countries in the World Cup 2014. Much to the delight of the local fans, Brazilian superstar Neymar scored the first goal for the hosts in the World Cup opener and played a major role in his team`s 3-1 win over Croatia. Lionel Messi, the Argentine striker too released the pressure off himself by scoring his second World Cup goal. Messi, who was having a poor match as per his standards, scored in the 65th minute of the game, firing a left-footer from the box, that hit the left post before finding the net. In Monday`s match, Germany will be high on confidence considering the recent history on their side. Germany has won the last three tournament matches against Portugal— a 3-1 win in for third place at the 2006 World Cup; a 3-2 win at Euro 2008 and a 1-0 victory in their opener at Euro 2012. A lot depends on Ronaldo as Portugal look to end their run of defeats against Philipp Lahm-led side. The pressure is even more after the success of Neymar and Messi in the early stages of the tournament so far.