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          Pepe's red card: The world responds ...

          • ESPN FC staff
          Jun 16, 2014, 04:43 PM

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          Pepe put his Portugal side in a tough spot early on in their World Cup opening match against Germany on Monday.

          Thomas Mueller got tangled with Pepe in the 37th minute and the Portugal defender was sent off for head-butting the German player as he sat on the ground. (Before that, Mats Hummels rose above Pepe to give Germany a 2-0 lead with a header off a corner in the 32nd minute.)

          - Magraphic: History of red cards at World Cup

          Pepe's red card marked the fourth straight World Cup in which at least one Portugal player has been sent off. It is also his 12th career red card, but the first while playing for the national team. He will now miss Portugal's upcoming match against the United States on Sunday.

          Of course, there was plenty of reaction from the interwebs:

          Here is the actual call and analysis from our crew in Brazil:

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          Or, if you prefer, here is the Lego re-enactment:

          And here come the tweets! A few tweeps thought Muller embellished the initial contact from Pepe:

          German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was in attendance at Arena Fonte Nova, seemed happy. Although we can't confirm nor deny if this was over Pepe, or Germany's overall dominance:

          Before Monday's World Cup opener, happier times for Pepe: