Just when questions were being asked about the state of the German strike force and who would do the scoring, Australia were given the answer - as four different strikers all found the back of the net.

All the more reason England need to win Group C; if Germany go on to win Group D on the back of this result.

Australia might have felt that they had a chance of getting something out of this game; especially as Germany lost Michael Ballack to an FA Cup Final injury.

The Aussies started brightly but it was Germany who took the lead; through Lukas Podolski, in the 8th minute. The shot was so powerful, Mark Schwarzer could only palm the ball into his own net.

Miroslav Klose was frustrated with himself for missing the target, yet again, in the 24th minute but made amends a few minutes later by heading in Philipp Lahm's cross from the right - his 11th goal in World Cup finals.

Mesut Özil missed the chance to make it three when he took too long to clip the ball past Mark Schwarzer; giving Lucas Neill enough time to get back and hook the ball off the line.

Half-time: 2:0

Needing to chase the match, Australia brought on Brett Holman for Vince Grella at the start of the second-half.

A straight red for Tim Cahill, in the 56th minute, just about ended any chance Australia might have had to get anything from this game; or even the tournament, if the Everton man misses the next two games.

Germany made it all look so easy (even if Australia were down to ten men) when Thomas Müller made it three, shortly before Cacau came on and scored the German fourth.

Germany 4 Australia 0