(Reuters) -
Thomas Mueller marked his 50th international with a hat-trick as Germany
strolled to a 4-0 World Cup victory over a Portugal side reduced to 10
men late in the first half of a disappointingly one-sided Group G match
on Monday. It had been expected to be a
close game between two strong sides but Germany took control early on as
Mueller scored a 12th-minute penalty after Mario Goetze was felled,
before Mats Hummels powered a header from a corner after 32 minutes. Portugal
defender Pepe, furious at what he felt was "simulation" by Mueller
following a slight collision between the two, was sent off after 37
minutes for pushing his head into the German's face as he sat on the
ground. Mueller lashed in the third
in first-half stoppage time, and completed his treble with a
78th-minute tap-in after Germany had spurned a series of chances.
Hat-trick for Mueller as Germany crush 10-man Portugal 4-0
Reuters
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