Germany puts four past woeful Portugal
FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, could not do anything as Germany routed 10-man Portugal 4-0 in Tuesday morning's Group G World Cup match in Salvador, Brazil.
Ronaldo, who has been battling injuries in the lead up to the tournament, could only watch as 24-year-old Thomas Mueller scored the tournament's first hat-trick against his side.
Mueller opened his account for the Germans when he converted a penalty awarded when the impressive Mario Goetze was brought down in the box in the 12th min, reported Reuters.
Germany's lead was then doubled when defender Mat Hummels powered home a header from a corner in the 32nd min.
Portugal's Pepe was then sent off - for the 13th time of his career according to Herald Sun - after he pushed his head into the face of Mueller, who he felt had overreacted to a slight collision between the two.
The collision.
And Pepe's subsequent reaction.
Mueller then put Germany firmly in control of the game when he scored their third goal at the end of the first half when he put away a Toni Kroos cross.
His third and final goal came in the 78th minute when he tapped home from close range and the goalkeeper spilled an Andre Schurrle cross at his feet.
Just to compound Portugal's miserable night, defender Fabio Coentrao had to be stretchered off the field in the second half.
The anonymous Ronaldo stormed pass reporters after the match, not before being handed a "surprise gift" from Germany's coach Joachim "nose-picker" Low as they shook hands after the match.
Source: AFP, Reuters, Herald Sun, Vine, GifGoldmine.com
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