BRAZIL 1, GERMANY 7 (SEVEN) – WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL
RECORDS TUMBLE AS BRAZIL HUMILIATED; BRAZIL SHIP 4 GOALS IN SIX FIRST HALF MINUTES; KLOSE MAKES IT 16 GOALS IN WORLD CUP FINALS
Miroslav Klose scored his 16th World Cup finals goal to eclipse Ronaldo’s record as Germany ruthlessly destroyed Brazil in the space of six first half minutes after taking an early lead. Goals by Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira, and a brace each by Toni Kroos and Andre Shurrle completed Brazil’s humiliation and Oscar’s late consolation meant little to a shell shocked nation.
Brazil were completely outclassed by an unchanged Germany and the Germans were being cheered by the home crowd by the end. Bernard was drafted in to replace injured talisman Neymar while Dante replaced suspended captain Thiago Silva and the Bayern defender could only watch dumbstruck as Brazil capitulated with a stunning lack of defensive discipline against a German side unchanged from their Quarter-final victory over France.
David Luiz was the main culprit, but not the only under-performing player, of the bloodletting in Belo Horizonte – undoubtedly the worst humiliation in town since England went down 1-0 to the USA in 1950 and Brazil subsequently lost their last home World Cup to Uruguay in the final.
Without the calming influence of Thiago Silva by his side, Luiz was caught out several times in the first half. Crucially, his mistake at an early set piece allowed Thomas Muller to break away from the defence and sweep home Toni Kroos’ corner after just 11 minutes. It was the midfielder’s 10th goal in 12 World Cup games and the second World Cup tournament running where he has scored five goals.
In contrast to the Brazilians’ stunning lack of on field discipline, the Germans stayed true to their principles, with captain Philipp Lahm timing a 17th minute tackle on Marcelo to perfection despite a slightly theatrical tumble by the Brazil left back.
That was just a prelude to what the Germans were about to do to Brazil as they scored again in the 23rd minute with Klose breaking the World Cup finals scoring record and millions of Brazilian hearts at the same time. It was his 16th finals goal, scored at the rebound off his own first attempt after Muller made the goal with a lay-off.
Two further goals within three minutes by Kroos sank Brazilian hopes of a comeback. Kroos tucked home from the edge of the area for 3-0 in the 24th minute after a square ball had bypassed everyone in the Brazilian defence.
Fernandinho lost the ball from the restart and Sami Khedira provided the final ball from the left for Kroos to make it 4-0 after 26 minutes.
There was no way back after Khedira made it 5-0 in the 29th minute after yet another slip-up by Luiz, after exchanging passes with Mesut Ozil.
With the game effectively over after under half an hour, and tears around the stadium from home fans, the Germans were in no mood to take it easy.
Kroos’ 32nd minute shot was deflected just wide of the Brazil goal, Ozil’s free kick was poor, and Muller was tackling like it was still 0-0.
An early Brazil rally in the second half saw Manuel Neuer pressed into action with saves from substitutes Ramires and a double save from Paulinho. Oscar also should have scored after his sidefooted effort was saved by Neuer.
Their hopes were truly dashed, though, after Muller almost rounded Julio Cesar and had a shot tipped over the bar by the Brazil ‘keeper around the hour mark. German substitute Andre Shurrle forced Julio Cesar to race off his line to deny him a chance to extend the German lead.
Shurrle was not to be denied, however, as he made it 6-0 in the 69th minute after converting Philipp Lahm’s cross.
And Shurrle made it an astonishing 7-0 with 11 minutes to go by smashing the ball in off the underside of the crossbar, bringing even Brazilians in the stadium to their feet in appreciation of the goalscoring feat.
Ozil, could have made it 8-0, equalling Germany’s biggest ever World Cup victory, against Saudi Arabia in World Cup 2002, when he was sent clear in the 90th minute but shot wide with just Julio Cesar to beat.
Bernard’s wild slash just before Ozil’s chance summed up Brazil’s night in front of the goal but Oscar finally did breach Neuer’s goal just before injury time to spoil Germany’s clean sheet but it wasn’t enough to prevent the wave of emotion – complete with tears and boos at full time as Brazil’s World Cup dream came crashing back to Earth.