PORTO SEGURO, Brazil – His first match at the World Cup ended with a hat trick for Thomas Mueller, the second with a bloodied face. The best scenario for the third would be for Germany to beat the United States and win Group G, according to the German forward.
Mueller needed five stiches next to his right eye after a collision late in a 2-2 draw with Ghana on Saturday and the bruise and cut are still very visible.
But Mueller says he will play, although he won't be without pain.
Unless Germany coach Joachim Loew pulls a surprise and reshuffles his attack, Mueller will be the point man in Thursday's match against the Americans in Recife. A draw would see both teams advance ahead of Portugal and Ghana.
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