Australian midfielder Tim Cahill broke down in tears last night after he was sent off in Australia's 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Germany in Group D at the World Cup.

Cahill was fairly harshly red carded in the 56th minute for a challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

German midfielder Schweinsteiger comforted Cahill after Sunday's match and said he did not believe the challenge merited a sending off, which will give Cahill some hope that after he has served his one match ban, that will be the end of it.

"It's one of the saddest moments in my football career to be in this position," Cahill said, just as Schweinsteiger approached him after the game.

"It was not a red card," Schweinsteiger told the Australian, who began to cry.

"That was nice of him," Cahill said. "Sometimes players can make a meal of things on the pitch and it's understandable because it gives them an advantage."

More news on what will happen to Cahill as we get it later today or tomorrow but from what we understand the incident has to go in front of a committee that will determine if he is to miss any more than one game.

If it is only one game, Cahill will be back for the match against Ghana on June 23.