Brazil suffered the worst defeat in their footballing history as they were crushed 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte.
As well as being Brazil's heaviest ever defeat - eclipsing a 6-0 Copa America defeat by Uruguay in 1920 - and their first competitive loss on home soil since 1975, it was also the biggest ever victory in a World Cup semi-final.
The home side actually started brightly, but Joachim Loew's German outfit took the lead after just 11 minutes as Thomas Mueller, left totally unmarked at a corner, sidefooted home.
And barely 10 minutes later Brazil's World Cup dream imploded in horrifying style as the Germans scored three times in 179 seconds, with Miroslav Klose breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record before Toni Kroos added two goals to make it 4-0. Sami Khedira then made it 5-0 just before the half-hour mark, giving Germany five goals in an 18-minute spell.
After the break Brazil came out looking determined and forced two outstanding saves from Manuel Neuer - but Germany soon regained control, and Andre Schuerrle scored twice to make it 7-0.
In the dying moments Mesut Oezil blew a perfect chance to make it 8-0 - and Brazil responded by darting up the other end where Oscar scored the consolation goal.
Germany will be red-hot favourites to win their first World Cup as a unified nation, no matter what happens in the other semi-final between Argentina and Netherlands.
As for Brazil, wholesale changes are expected as the nation suffered its largest and most humiliating defeat ever - a night that finally expunges memories of the Maracanazo in 1950, but in the worst possible way: by worsening the pain rather than exorcising the demons.
KEY MOMENTS
4' – BRAZIL CHANCE: Luiz finds Hulk with a sweeping switch of play and he looks for Bernard central but Neuer is alert to the danger and claims at the feet of the diminutive winger.
11' – GOAL! It is that man Mueller, who is unmarked on the six-yard-box to volley Kroos’ corner past Julio Cesar. Poor, poor defending.
22' – GOAL! Klose. Some neat passing cuts open the Brazil defence and Klose has his first shot blocked but follows up to open a two-goal advantage. He takes the record to boot.
24’ - GOOAL! Three goals to the good! What a strike from Kroos. What a strike on the half-volley with his left foot from outside the box following Lahm’s cross.
26’ – GOAL! Kross capitalises on Fernandinho taking a heavy touch. He finds Khedira inside the box but instead of shooting he slots it back to Kroos who tucks away.
29’ – GOAL! Germany cut through the Brazilian defence. Khedira charges forward and finds Ozil who cuts it back to Khedira, who slots home from the edge of the box.
69’ – GOAL! Lahm crosses for a queue of German players. Schuerrle is at the front of that queue and he tucks home.
79’ – ANOTHER GOAL: Mueller is in down the left and he slots back to Schuerrle on the edge of the six yard box who thrashes into the top corner from a tight angle.
90’ – CONSOLATION? GOAL! Oscar gets a consolation. He gets behind Mertesacker and comes back on himself before lifting the ball over Neuer. 7-1.
Source: AFP via Eurosport
No comments:
Post a Comment