Germany run riot in record 7-1 defeat of Brazil

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Germany run riot in record 7-1 defeat of Brazil

Germany's midfielder Toni Kroos (L) celebrates after scoring during the semi-final football match between Brazil and Germany at The Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 8, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN

Germany crushed shambolic World Cup hosts Brazil with a record 7-1 defeat on Tuesday to book their place in the tournament final in a match that shook football's superpower to the core.

Brazil were booed by their fans and gathered shell-shocked on the Mineirao pitch with coach Luiz Felipe Scolari after the worst defeat in their 100 years of competitive football.

The team who have won five World Cups have never put on such a chaotic defensive performance as during an 18 minute first half period when Germany scored four goals, three of them in just 179 seconds.

Brazilian fans were left in tears -- many just left the stadium unable to put up with the pain.

Thomas Mueller scored in the 11th minute, Klose after 23 to take his World Cup total to a record 16, Toni Kroos in the 24th and 26th minutes, Sami Khedira after 29 and substitute Andre Schuerrle in the 69th and 79th minutes. Oscar scored Brazil's goal in the 90th minute.

"We ask for forgiveness," said a shellshocked Scolari after a defeat likely to be as traumatic as the fabled 'Maracanazo' when Brazil lost the 1950 final to Uruguay.

The Brazil boss added: "I’m responsible for what the team does out on the pitch – and I am to blame for this result."

"They were better than us. They prepared better. They played better," conceded Brazil captain David Luiz.

He added: "It’s a very sad day but it’s also a day from which to learn.”

Mueller was almost lost for words.

- 'totally crazy' -

"I can't believe it. It's something totally crazy. It just went well today," he beamed.

"Now we have to pull through one more time, we have to fight to get this thing," he added, referring to Sunday's final.

Germany will face either Argentina or the Netherlands at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium after their stunning show of power.

The Germans fell just short of their World Cup record 8-0 win over Saudi Arabia in 2002.

With superstar Neymar out with a fractured vertebrate and captain Thiago Silva suspended, Brazil fell into disarray on an emotionally-charged night as the Germans exploited gapping holes.

Mueller began the rout with only 11 minutes gone, before Klose made history of his own with his 16th World Cup goal to become the tournament's all-time sole top scorer.

With the Selecao defence shaken and their fans leaving in droves after just 25 minutes, Kroos scored twice in as many minutes before Khedira added the Germans' fifth.

Substitute Schuerrle then added Germany's sixth and seventh before Oscar grabbed Brazil's late consolation goal.

There were constant reminders of Neymar's absence at the Mineirao Stadium before kick-off with captain David Luiz and goalkeeper Julio Cesar clutching the Number 10 shirt bearing his name during a deafening rendition of the Brazilian anthem.

But the hosts' passions played into their opponents hands and the Germans' early goal only highlighted the absence of Silva's organisation at the back.

Kroos floated in a corner and Mueller was left unmarked at the far post to tap home with 11 minutes gone.

The goal rattled the hosts and Germany ran riot with four goals in six incredible minutes.

Klose made history on 23 minutes as he slotted home Julio Cesar's parried save to become the sole World Cup top-scorer having equalled Brazil legend Ronaldo's record in the group stages.

Kroos then floored the hosts with two goals in two minutes after firstly latching onto Philipp Lahm's teasing pass across the box to fire past Cesar for Germany's third on 24 minutes.

Hundreds more Brazilian fans left after Kroos grabbed his second on 26 minutes and the only sound to be heard in the stadium was the small pocket of German fans singing "Oh, wie ist das Schoen!" - "Oh, isn't it beautiful!".

With the Brazilian defence in disarray, Khedira led a German counter-attack and selfishly passed off to Kroos for a simple tap-in on 26 minutes.

The Brazilians had barely caught their breath when Khedira made it five with just 29 minutes gone.

Mesut Ozil and Klose combined to lay the ball back and Khedira slammed his shot into the bottom left corner.

Coach Felipe Scolari made two changes at the break with Hulk and Fernandinho making way for Paulinho and Ramires, but it was too little, too late for Brazil.

Tottenham Hotspur's Paulinho was denied by two rapid-fire saves from Neuer straight after the break.

Germany coach Joachim Loew took off centre-back Mats Hummels and Klose to keep them for the final.

Klose's replacement Schuerrle then compounded the hosts misery with his two strikes, the second of which on 79 minutes from the right which gave Cesar no chance.

Oscar pulled a 90th-minute goal back for the Selecao as Germany's Manuel Neuer was finally beaten, but there was no denying the ruthless Germans.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-07-09

[lostsoul49]

I couldn't believe my eyes... I went to the kitchen to make a sandwich with Germany 1-0 up, when I got back into the lounge they were 4-0 up. Mt first thought was that the on screen graphics were messed up, but then the camera showed a Brazilian lad in the crowd crying his eyes out, then I knew it was no mistake... Then a few seconds later they scored their fifth... Unbelievable.

Luckily I have catch up TV so was able to rewind the game live and watch again from when I left the room.

Sort of takes the shine off for whoever wins tonight between Netherlands and the Argie Bargies... Hope it's NL.

[boomerangutang]

some highlights here, though in Russian (I don't mind hearing commentary in another language). Sometimes there are clips with commentary in American

Watching Brazil get blitzed (is that too rough a word, considering WWII?), got me wishing Mexico or Chile had beaten Brazil and gone through. ....but alas, they didn't. Brazil are still a great team, it's just the Germans were better ....a lot better.

[Neeranam]

There must have been a lot of money bet on Germany by the Brazilian defenders.

[boomerangutang]

now Brazilians can sing; 'la la la la la la bomba!' ....as in bombing out.

If I was in Brazil right now, I'd grab the prettiest sobbing lady and whisper in her ear: "Don't worry bambina, I've got something that will take your attention off that sad defeat."

[bassman]

Wish I had the rights for Kleenex tissue in Brazil!

[TVGerry]

You've never think you'd see a match like that! Two top teams and a 7-1 score! And in a world cup match!! It was bloody unbelievable!!!

I wouldn't have been surprised if the Brazillian fans invaded the pitch and lynched the whole Brazil team!

[nottocus]

now Brazilians can sing; 'la la la la la la bomba!' ....as in bombing out.

If I was in Brazil right now, I'd grab the prettiest sobbing lady and whisper in her ear: "Don't worry bambina, I've got something that will take your attention off that sad defeat."

I think they'd be interested in something a bit more substantial than a cocktail sausage.

[jacky54]

Well done Germany great performance. The English team could learn a few things from watching them, like how to play as a team for a start.

[thaiguzzi]

There must have been a lot of money bet on Germany by the Brazilian defenders.

Funny you say that. Talking to Thais that lost money on the result, they are saying a multi million dollar betting syndicate dictated the result. I say <deleted>, Brazil are just crap.

[bigbamboo]

Aside from those four goals in six minutes the other key spell was just after half time. Assuming Scolari would have said something like "OK, his is your chance to play the greatest match in the history of football by staging a comeback aginst a team who will surely think the game is won. Just go for it. we then saw the Brazilians came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half and had two clear chances to score. If they had converted them then it could have become very interesting but they didn't and you could see Germany press the re set button and that was that.

[tx22cb]

What impressed me was how unselfish the Germans were in the goal area - their players did not seek personal glory by taking hasty low-probability shots, but were happy to pass the ball to a team-mate who had a better angle. This tactic flummoxed the Brazilians' defenders again and again.

[Travel2003]

I'm tired today, but I'm glad I decided to stay up and watch this match.

Will never forget it.

[PAWNEESE]

Respect to the German team. I cant remember from them any cynical diving or any bad fouls in any of their games. Moreover even when they had a lead in the semi final there was no time wasting. Most if not all other teams would have been time wasting in such circumstances big style but they kept playing and attacking. It made the dramatic game even better.

[Yahooka]

The German team is probably the most complete squad I`ve ever seen in WC........................And Brazil has been the most overrated team in the last 3 WC`s. Desevedly they got trashed,I just hope it would have happened before !!

[uptheos]

I think the German's felt a bit sorry for Brazil.........could have been a lot more.

[tw25rw]

Loved it. Shame David Luiz doesn't play for Chelsea any more.

[khunken]

What a game. Brazil certainly missed their captain as they were a disorganised mess of a team. I think Lowe hit the nail on the head in his comment about Brazil dwelling on the emotion of missing Neymar instead of putting it behind them and focusing on the game.

Germany were brilliant but I don't think they will get nearly as much freedom to play one-touch football in the final.

[rlopes]

now Brazilians can sing; 'la la la la la la bomba!' ....as in bombing out.

If I was in Brazil right now, I'd grab the prettiest sobbing lady and whisper in her ear: "Don't worry bambina, I've got something that will take your attention off that sad defeat."

Yeah right... La Bamba is a Mexican song and bambina is an Italian word.

[rlopes]

now Brazilians can sing; 'la la la la la la bomba!' ....as in bombing out.

If I was in Brazil right now, I'd grab the prettiest sobbing lady and whisper in her ear: "Don't worry bambina, I've got something that will take your attention off that sad defeat."

[NeverSure]

What impressed me was how unselfish the Germans were in the goal area - their players did not seek personal glory by taking hasty low-probability shots, but were happy to pass the ball to a team-mate who had a better angle. This tactic flummoxed the Brazilians' defenders again and again.

I believe that game will be used for decades by coaches showing teams how it should be done.

[JetsetBkk]

Please God can we have John Helm doing the commentary on the Final? He was great - and funny - in the Germany-Brazil game.

If not him, can we have anyone other than ridiculously excitable Gary Bloom who thinks shouting very loudly is commentating.

[Mosha]

The annoying part of the commentary for me, was the guy saying "You have to feel sorry etc,,," What for? The defence went AWOL for 6 minutes while Germany put 4 goals away.

[JohnnyJazz]

[bendejo]

It could have been worse for Brazil -- they could have lost to the Argies. That would have resulted in suicides.

[RickBradford]

Napoleon said that in war "the moral is to the material as three is to one" and never have I seen it better demonstrated.

The Brazilians aren't bad footballers, but they weren't quite switched on, and once the Germans got in among them, they became completely unglued, in a kind of pathetic blubbering panic. Morale totally shot. It was a complete rout precipitated by a merciless blitzkrieg.

They managed to put it behind them for start of the the second half and I thought they had 3 decent chances to score. Once the Germans steadied (60'), the old pattern resumed. Fascinating.