Football: Is this Champions League shocker the most brutal foul of the year?

Thomas Muller catches Nicolas Tagliafico square in the head during the match. Photo / via Twitter

German football star Thomas Muller has committed a needless and sickening karate kick to the head of an opposition player that earned him a straight red card.

The Bayern Munich striker was sent off early with 15 minutes to play in his team's 3-3 thriller against Ajax after he collected Nicolas Tagliafico with a horrific boot to the head.

The Ajax defender went down immediately and required staples in his head to stem the bleeding.

How’s Muller surprised he’s received a red 🤕🤕 https://t.co/VEzArVBdSK

— Steven Casey (@SCasey87) December 12, 2018

Referee Clement Turpin didn't hesitate in showing Muller a red card.

Tagliafico was on the ground for a number of minutes while he received treatment following the blow.

In a spiteful encounter, Ajax had earlier been reduced to 10 men after Maximilian Wober was sent off for serious foul play.

Muller will miss the first leg of Bayern's last-16 tie, which will be decided at the draw for the Champions League knockout stages in Nyon next week.

Thomas Muller with an unorthodox challenge... and a straight red for this effort.#UCL #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/3BskVgA75j

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) December 12, 2018