"The group of death," as Group G is unofficially known, kicks off Monday with the matchup of its two best teams, Germany and Portugal.

These two national teams have met 17 times in the past, with Germany holding a 9-3 advantage, though they have come to a draw five times. Leading Portugal will be the reigning Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball) winner, Cristiano Ronaldo.

CLICK HERE to watch the game via WatchESPN. The match starts at 12 p.m. ET, but coverage begins at 11:30 a.m.

The Portuguese forward ended Lionel Messi's three-year run at winning the award FIFA gives to the best soccer player from the previous year. The Ballon d'Or is based on votes from coaches, team captains and journalists from all over the globe.

According to FIFA.com, three Serbian officials will referee the game, joined by one from Cameroon. The two teams will play in Arena Fonte Nova, a stadium built in 1951 and which seats 51,708.

According to Weather.com, the city of Salvador is expected to reach toward the 80s today with clear skies overhead, giving the players a break of the mid-90s heat of the tournament's first week.

Later in Group G, the United States take on Ghana, the team that eliminated the Americans in each of the last two World Cup tournaments. While Germany and Portugal should be the favorites to advance, Group G got its nickname partly for having a grueling travel schedule, as well as a tough set of teams.

Still, the German national team has plenty reason to be proud and to expect to make the round of 16. Since their first appearance in 1934, they have made 17 appearances in the World Cup and won the title three times.

Portugal has made only six appearances since their first in 1966 and won none of them, finishing as high as third place.