BRAZIL 1-7 GERMANY
It's the most lopsided victory in World Cup semifinal history, and sees the host nation shockingly sent to the third place in humiliating fashion.
5 German goals in 18 minutes, including 4 goals in 6 minutes set World Cup records for scoring proficiency and sent Germany through to their 8th World Cup final, yet another mark for the record books.
Brazil came flying out of the gate with loads of energy and made it appear this would be an even contest. That lasted for the first 5 minutes or so before Germany imposed their will on the game. Germany got their offensive flow going once they settled in and were rewarded in the 11th minute with the opening goal.
Off of a corner kick, Dante and Marcelo appeared to get their wires crossed which ended in the ball finding a wide open Thomas Muller at the top of the 6 yard box. Muller neatly directed the ball goalward past Julio Cesar to give Germany the 1-0 lead.
Brazil's best chance at equalizing came a few minutes later. A blazing Marcelo run down the left flank ended with a sliding tackle from Philipp Lahm which sent Marcelo tumbling to the ground. As the stadium clamored for a penalty kick, none was coming and some pushing and shoving between the two teams ensued.
That set up one of the most stunning runs of play anyone has ever seen in the World Cup and one which could not have been predicted in any way. It also saw yet another historic record get broken by Germany.
A mistake by Maicon in the midfield led to an odd man rush for Germany. Mesut Ozil dropped the ball off for Miroslav Klose and while his initial shot was saved by Cesar, his followup struck home for the 2-0 Germany lead. Klose's second goal of the tournament was also his 16th in World Cup Finals history, a new all-time record surpassing Brazil's own Ronaldo.
There was no rest for the Brazilian defence as 6 minutes later they were down 5-0 instead of 2-0. A bouncing cross across the area fell to Toni Kroos at the top of the penalty area who volleyed home for his first goal of the tournament. Kroos doubled his tally 2 minutes following as he tucked the ball away after a give-and-go with Sami Khedira on the rush. Khedira drained his first on a rush 3 minutes later on a similar rush and a shell-shocked Brazilian team found themselves out of the game just a half-hour in.
It was simply a matter of playing the game out from that point on. Substitute Andre Schurrle added insult to injury in the second half, scoring twice amongst a bevy of saves from Manuel Neuer. Oscar was able to notch a lone Brazilian goal in the final minute but it was far too late for the Brazilian fans who rained down boos in response to the Brazil goal.
A stunning exit from the tournament for Brazil who have to face their humiliation with a third-place game in 4 days against the Argentina-Netherlands loser. Germany meanwhile will look forward to a final in which they should surely be favoured against either opponent.
Goals
Brazil: Oscar (90')
Germany: Thomas Muller (11'), Miroslav Klose (23'), Toni Kroos (24', 26'), Sami Khedira (29'), Andre Schurrle (69', 79')
Discipline
Brazil: Dante (Yellow 68')
Germany: N/A
Man of the Match
Toni Kroos was named Man of the Match for this one. Scored twice in the first half onslaught and probably had a part in some of the other ones. Can't remember really, they're all blurred together at this point. Realistically, this award could go to anyone wearing red and black today. Can't recall the last time I've seen not only a blowout of that quality but a team making it look so effortless in the process.
Key Moment
There was hope they could come back from 1-0. There was even a chance at 2-0. But Toni Kroos' first goal in the 24th minute, just seconds after Miroslav Klose had put Germany up by two was the dagger. Brazil's spirit looked completely broken at this point, and things never got any better from there.
What we learned from Brazil
I said beforehand they would have problems beforehand without Silva and Neymar. But no one predicted how bad this defeat would be. I genuinely don't know where Brazil go from here. A loss of this magnitude in a World-Cup semifinal, at home to boot, is unprecedented. No creativity offensively without Neymar but that problem paled in comparison to their defensive line. There are zero words right now that can explain how horrific that showing was.
What we learned from Germany
A clinical and brutal dismantling of the host country as Germany book their place in a record 8th World Cup final. Locked down their penalty area against a Neymar-less Brazilian team and took full advantage of a Brazilian defence that put on its best impression of a sieve today. Struggled a bit in the second half after Mertesacker replaced by Hummels but can't find any complaints when you win a game 7-1.
Germany are back in the World Cup final for the first time since 2002. Brazil meanwhile will have to find a way to shake off this loss and play in 3 days time in the Third Place match. Thankfully for Brazilian fans, Thiago Silva will be back from suspension in order to play that game.
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