SALVADOR, Brazil — Portugal defender Pepe faces the possibility of a three-match ban for violent conduct after being sent off in the first half of Monday’s World Cup Group G game against Germany, leaving his team shorthanded in an eventual 4-0 rout.
Pepe leaned into Germany striker Thomas Mueller with his head, making contact and applying pressure in a needless altercation that could bring him a stiff punishment.
The Brazil-born center back had caught Mueller in the face in an innocuous-looking challenge, but took umbrage as Mueller went down, returning to the forward and thrusting his head against the German’s.
Serbian referee Milorad Mazic had no hesitation in dismissing Pepe in the 37th minute of what became a 4-0 victory for the Germans.
A red card brings a mandatory one-game ban at the World Cup, but that is usually extended in the case of a sending-off for violent play.
The incident might not surprise followers of European soccer. Pepe, who plays for Champions League winner Real Madrid, has been involved in similarly dirty behavior for the Spanish club, including being accused of purposely stomping on the hand of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who plays for rival Barcelona, in 2012.
Mueller finished with a hat trick for Germany, the first of this World Cup. Mueller, who scored five goals at the 2010 World Cup, was ruthless against a weak Portugal team that was clearly outplayed.
Mueller scored either side of Mats Hummels’ headed goal as Germany took a 3-0 lead at the break, and added his third goal in the 81st.
Portugal also lost big striker Hugo Almeida to an injury, and crucial fullback Fabio Coentrao injured a groin muscle and was helped off the field in the second half.