Germany began their World Cup campaign with an impressive 4-0 rout of 10-man Australia.

Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose, whose selections were questioned after poor seasons at club level, rewarded coach Joachim Low’s faith with a goal apiece before the break.

Australia’s hopes of a fightback were ended when Tim Cahill harshly saw red, and Thomas Muller and Cacau completed the rout.

The Socceroos started brightly and had the game’s first chance when Cahill’s header fell to Richard Garcia, but Germany skipper Philipp Lahm reacted quickly to get in a block.

From there the Germans were quickly in their stride and Klose fired straight at Mark Schwarzer, with Mesut Oezil’s effort on the rebound blocked.

But moments later they were ahead when Oezil, a constant thorn in Australia’s defence, played in Muller and his pull-back was blazed home by the on-rushing Podolski.

Muller was menacing down the right-hand side and his low cross was an inch too far ahead of the sliding Podolski.

Podolski then attempted to turn provider, squaring for Klose, but again the German striker was wasteful with his shooting.

However, he made no mistake with his next chance, powering home a header after beating Schwarzer to a pinpoint delivery into the box by Lahm.

Klose fed Oezil and his chipped effort beat the goalkeeper but was cleared by Lucas Neill, and a better touch while one-on-one with Schwarzer would have seen the midfielder make it three minutes later.

The Germans were in total control now and the beleaguered Australians were, no doubt, relieved not have conceded any more before the break.

Pim Verbeek’s side went on the attack after the break and three minutes after the restart had appeals for a penalty waved away after Per Mertesacker appeared to handle Garcia’s header.

Brett Holman then dragged a shot wide of Manuel Neuer’s left-hand post before Germany came to life and almost extended their lead.

Lahm broke down the right and his pull back was dummied by Oezil, but Muller lifted his shot over the bar.

Any hopes of an Australian fightback were all but ended when talisman Cahill was dismissed for a clumsy challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Socceroos stopper Schwarzer soon made two decent saves to deny Klose and blocked a Podolski effort as Germany piled on the pressure.

The pair then combined with some neat one-touch passing only for the latter volleyed wide from six yards.

But Germany did extend their lead when Podolski ran at the defence and played in Muller, who turned his man and fired in off the inside of the post.

Two minutes later it was four, Holger Badstuber sending Oezil away down the left and he pulled back for Cacau, on the field for less than two minutes, to complete the scoring.

Australia: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Cahill, Culina, Emerton (Jedinak 74), Wilkshire, Chipperfield, Grella (Holman 45), Valeri, Garcia (Rukavytsya 64).

Germany: Neuer, Friedrich, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Oezil (Gomez 74), Podolski (Marin 81), Klose (Cacau 68), Muller, Badstuber, Lahm, Mertesacker.

Goals: Podolski 8, Klose 26, Muller 68, Cacau 70

Bookings: Neill, Moore, Valeri (Australia ), Oezil, Cacau (Germany)

Red Card: Cahill (Australia)