Horror opening for Socceroos

The Socceroos' 2010 World Cup campaign got off to a disastrous start, after Germany pummelled Australia four-nil.

Germany forward Lukas Podolski kicked off the scoring rampage in the eighth minute, and just before the half hour mark, Miroslav Klose's header made it two-nil.

Winger Thomas Mueller and substitute Cacau both found the net after the break to compound the misery for the Socceroos.

Australia was forced to play the last 34 minutes with 10 men after Tim Cahill was shown a red card for a foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Germany moves to the top of Group D with Ghana, which beat Serbia 1-0 earlier.