Germany trashes a ten-man Portugal

It was viewed as one of the most balanced matches in the entire group stage, but it enfolded as a blowout. Germany delivered Portugal it's heaviest defeat ever at the World Cup thanks to Muller's hat-trick.

Germany started its World Cup campaign in en emphatic style and it looks like Thomas Muller loves the final tournament. After scoring five goals four years ago in South Africa, he managed three already. 12 minutes into the game, Muller scored his first. Germany doubled its advantage after half an hour thanks to Hummels' header.

At that point nerves were stretched to a maximum in the Portuguese side and eventually snapped. Pepe fouled Muller, the German collapsed and thinking he is faking, Pepe went on to headbutt Muller. He was immediately sent off by the referee and he will miss Portugal's second match in the group stage.

Muller went on to score twice and deliver a clinical victory for Germany, while Portugal recorded its heaviest defeat in World Cup history. “To score three goals in one game...that's pretty amazing and the goals just got better and better. It's fantastic, but the merit also goes to the rest of the team,” said Muller after the game.

Here's the moment which many consider to have broken the balance when Pepe was sent off: