July 8, 2014; Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL; Germany player Miroslav Klose (11) controls the ball against Brazil player David Luiz during the semifinal match in the 2014 World Cup at Mineirao Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports
I can’t even preface this match with a standard post-match recap. Everyone knows the stakes, Germany vs Brazil at home with a a berth in the World Cup Final on the line. Despite missing Neymar and Thiago Silva, Brazil were still expected to compete.
We were all wrong. Very, very wrong.
The first half barely resembled an actual football match, let alone a semifinal match at the World Cup. Within 30 minutes, Germany had built up a 5-0 lead. No, that isn’t a typo. 5-0. Five to none.
FIVE. TO. NONE. And they barely looked as if they were working that hard.
Goals 3, 4, and 5 all seemed to come with the same ease that you’d see in a FIFA14 video game pitting Real Madrid or Barcelona against a team from the League 2 in England.
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Germany were ruthless, they opened the scoring quickly when and unmarked Thomas Mueller score his 10th World Cup goal for Germany. Miroslav Klose, starting today for the Germans in search of the all time World Cup scoring record, was next in line. His record breaking goal came when he buried the rebound of his first shot past Julio Cesar.
At 2-0, it was almost over. Brazil were in shambles, Germany were cruising, but they were far from done. In the 24th and 26th minute, Toni Kroos scored twice. To top it off, on 29 minutes, Sami Khedira scored as well, following some nifty passing about the Brazil penalty area.
Brazil’s hopes and dreams were effectively dashed. Fans were crying in the stands, and the hearts of a nation were broken. The German team couldn’t have looked more pleased.
Chelsea’s own Brazilian Ramires came on early in the 2nd half for Hulk, as did Paulinho for Fernandinho, meaning Oscar and Ramires were involved in the 2nd half. The Brazilians fought back in the 2nd half, and perhaps should have scored a couple more goals, but the psychological damage done by that horrendous first half may have come into play. Our lone German forward, Andre Schurrle, came on as well, replacing record breaking Miroslav Klose in the 58th minute.
Schurrle did get in on the scoring action, as he scored Germany’s 6th of the match (and his 2nd of the tournament) in the 69th minute off an excellent cross from Phillip Lahm. His Chelsea teammate Willian came on the first Schurrle goal, replacing Fred. Willian looked to be the only player excited to be playing for Brazil down 6-0, although he always seems to have a smile on his face playing football. Many were assuming Willian would get a shot to start today, and one might wonder if Big Phil Scolari might regret not doing that as they come crashing out of the World Cup.
In the 78th minute, Schurrle continued Germany’s dominance. A great long throw in saw Schurrle all alone, he placed a beautiful ball over Julio Cesar and into the net. It was a wonderfully taken goal, and it was 7-0.
Brazil finally got something back, when a long ball saw Oscar alone with Boateng. The Brazilian coolly finished past Neuer, 7-1 to save some face for the host nation. Oscar’s finish was much better than Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, whom Philip Lahm was screaming at for not finishing his chance to make the final scoreline 8-1.
This was Brazil’s worst defeat in 94 years. 7 goals are the most goals ever scored in a World Cup Semifinal.
Brazil simply refused to play defense today, and because of that their record of 62 games undefeated in competitive matches since 1975 ended in a German masterclass of scoring.
Germany suddenly look very, very dangerous. Argentina and the Netherlands must surely be much more nervous ahead of their upcoming semifinal tomorrow. The winner of that match will take on the new favorites to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.
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