At kickoff, there was hope and ambition in Brazil. By halftime, shock and grief prevailed in the nation hosting the 2014 World Cup. In between, Germany racked up all the goals it needed to book a spot in final.
In the first half hour of play in their semifinal clash, Germany built an astounding 5-0 lead over Brazil at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. In the perfunctory second half, Germany ran the score to 7-0 before Brazil pulled back a late consolation goal. It was the most goals that Brazil had ever conceded at home and just the second time it had ever conceded seven goals in any match, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
"This is utterly beyond belief," ESPN commentator Ian Darke exclaimed after Sami Khedira scored Germany's fifth goal of the first half in the 29th minute.
The deluge of goals began when Germany striker Thomas Muller scored his 10th career World Cup goal in the 11th minute. The 24-year-old volleyed the ball past Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar after a Germany corner kick in the 11th minute. Miroslav Klose then doubled Germany's advantage with a milestone strike in the 23rd minute. The 36-year-old veteran became the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup with his 16th career goal in the tournament. He had tied Brazil's Ronaldo with his 15th goal earlier in the 2014 World Cup.
As Germany racked up those five first-half goals during a frenzied 18-minute span, the reactions of Brazil's fans shifted from shock to grief.
The Selecao didn't give their supporters much more to smile about in the second half. Germany's Andre Schurle added two more goals to the lopsided scoreline, scoring in the 69th and 79th minutes.
With Germany well on its way to the final and Brazil headed for the third-place game, Oscar finally got the hosts on the scoresheet in the 90th minute. The last-gasp cosmetic score did little to dull the sadness of the Brazil players and their fans after the team's first home defeat in a competitive match since 1975.
"We wanted to make the people happy ... unfortunately we couldn't," Brazil defender David Luiz said after the defeat, via The Associated Press. "We apologize to all Brazilians."
source: huffingtonpost.com By Chris Greenberg
"This is utterly beyond belief," ESPN commentator Ian Darke exclaimed after Sami Khedira scored Germany's fifth goal of the first half in the 29th minute.
The deluge of goals began when Germany striker Thomas Muller scored his 10th career World Cup goal in the 11th minute. The 24-year-old volleyed the ball past Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar after a Germany corner kick in the 11th minute. Miroslav Klose then doubled Germany's advantage with a milestone strike in the 23rd minute. The 36-year-old veteran became the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup with his 16th career goal in the tournament. He had tied Brazil's Ronaldo with his 15th goal earlier in the 2014 World Cup.
As Germany racked up those five first-half goals during a frenzied 18-minute span, the reactions of Brazil's fans shifted from shock to grief.
The Selecao didn't give their supporters much more to smile about in the second half. Germany's Andre Schurle added two more goals to the lopsided scoreline, scoring in the 69th and 79th minutes.
With Germany well on its way to the final and Brazil headed for the third-place game, Oscar finally got the hosts on the scoresheet in the 90th minute. The last-gasp cosmetic score did little to dull the sadness of the Brazil players and their fans after the team's first home defeat in a competitive match since 1975.
"We wanted to make the people happy ... unfortunately we couldn't," Brazil defender David Luiz said after the defeat, via The Associated Press. "We apologize to all Brazilians."
source: huffingtonpost.com By Chris Greenberg
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