Germany have opened their quest for a fourth World Cup with a 4-nil victory over Australia in their opening Group D match in Durban.
Forwards Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose gave Germany a 2-nil halftime lead, with winger Thomas Mueller and substitute Cacau finding the net after the break.
Australia, who started both halves brightly and battled gamely throughout, played the last 34 minutes with 10 men after Tim Cahill was dismissed for a foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Germany lead Group D from Ghana, who beat Serbia 1-nil in the earlier match in Pretoria.
Also today Slovenia beat Algeria 1-nil.
