Cristiano Ronaldo gets the opportunity to upstage fellow superstar Lionel Messi.
Having dethroned Messi as World Footballer of the Year, Ronaldo, who has been battling a left knee injury, declared himself 100 percent fit to play in the Group G match in Salvador, comfortably the stand-out fixture of the day.
“I’d like to be 110 percent, but I am at 100 percent and ready to help the national team,” said the 29-year-old Real Madrid star.
“Obviously, I would like to play without pain, but in my entire career I have always had injuries and knocks to deal with, but I am ready to play.”
Three-time champions Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in the third place play-off at the 2006 World Cup, 3-2 in the 2008 European Championships quarter-finala and 1-0 in the first round of Euro 2012.
Other statistics weigh against Ronaldo as Germany have won all of their World Cup opening matches since 1990.
Elsewhere on Sunday, France made World Cup history by defeating Honduras 3-0 with the help of the first goal awarded through goal-line technology.
Karim Benzema’s strike early in the second half cannoned back off the inside of an upright across the goal at Porto Alegre’s Beira-Rio Stadium.
Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares’ tried to scoop it clear but the German-manufactured GoalControl goal-line technology system signalled the ball had crossed the line, prompting Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci to whistle for a score.
There was a brief delay as Ricci consulted his fourth official while Honduras manager Luis Fernando Suarez angrily protested but Valladares’s own-goal stood.
“I think it is a good solution and the goal then counts,” said France coach Didier Deschamps.
The 48th-minute milestone was one of the talking points of a comfortable victory for France, whose other goals came from Real Madrid star Benzema.
France now face European rivals Switzerland in Salvador on Friday, a game which could decide who tops the group.
The Swiss snatched a dramatic last-gasp 2-1 win over Ecuador in Brasilia with Haris Seferovic netting in the fourth and final minute of injury time.