The Brazilian dream was well and truly crushed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup when Germany dealt the home team with blow after blow in their semi-final match at the Estadio Mineirao. When the dust settled, Germany had scored 7 goals to Brazil's lone consolation which came at the very last minute of regulation time.
The match started with a shadow looming over Brazil as their star striker was notably absent due to an injury he sustained in the quarterfinals. The stands were pulsing with electricity and hoards of Brazilian fans dotted the stadium with masks bearing the image of Neymar on their faces.
The team itself took their squad photo with a jersey of the number 10 striker held up among them. Apart from Neymar, the team's captain, Thiago Silva was also absent due to a suspension and it seems that the defender's skills were the ones that were missed the most in a match that saw Brazil's defence fall apart right from the beginning.
Statistics show that ball possession was fairly even between the two teams with Brazil even edging slightly ahead with 52%. The hosts also had more attempts on goal but the Germans made their attacks count and their defence was solid. Despite a good offence on the Brazilian side, their defensive line gave the Germans too much space in the box which resulted in 5 goals inside the first 30 minutes.
In the end, the pitch, the stands and the entire country were filled with contrasting scenes of jubilation and more dominantly, complete dejection.
David Luiz was at the receiving end of the consolation this time around as he found himself in tears after the match just like James Rodriguez was at the end of the Brazil-Colombia quarterfinal. Thiago Silva in casual attire was seen consoling his teammates at the end of the match but even the single consolation goal by Oscar in the 90th minute will do little to ease the sting. Julio Cesar already looked the picture of defeat even before the final whistle and he had good reason to be after letting in 7 German goals.
Fans crumpled to the floor with tears streaming down their faces and the flags and other paraphernalia they so proudly waved throughout the past several weeks were left abandoned and scattered in and around the stadium.
It was a bitter, bitter defeat but the tournament is not over. The team now needs to regroup and save face in the battle for third against the loser between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Germany have booked the first spot at the Maracana and they now await the identity of their nemesis come July 13.
Match Statistics:
BRAZIL
GERMANY
52%
Possession
48%
18
Attempts
14
13
On Target
12
1
Goals
7
7
Corners
5
0
Set Pieces
2
14
Free Kicks
14
11
Fouls
14
1
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
Brazil soccer fans walk in the rain after watching a broadcast of their team's loss against Germany in their 2014 World Cup semi-final match, in Rio de Janeiro July 8, 2014. REUTERSA mask of injured Brazil player Neymar hangs in front of an empty stadium at Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte after the Brazil World Cup semi-final soccer match between Brazil and Germany July 8, 2014. Germany defeated Brazil 7-1 in their semi-final match, to progress to the 2014 World Cup final on July 13. REUTERS(L-R) Germany's national soccer players Roman Weidenfeller, Shkodran Mustafi, Andre Schuerrle , Kevin Grosskreutz and Per Mertesacker celebrate after their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Brazil at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSA Brazil fan cries as she watches the 2014 World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Germany at a fan area in Brasilia, July 8, 2014. Germany scored five goals in 18 astonishing first-half minutes on their way to a 7-1 semi-final mauling of Brazil on Tuesday which shattered the host nation's hopes of winning their sixth World Cup. It was the most shocking result in the tournament's history, Brazil's record World Cup defeat and their first at home in 64 competitive matches since 1975. REUTERSBrazil's David Luiz (L) and Luiz Gustavo react after losing their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSBrazil's David Luiz cries after his team lost to Germany in their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSGermany's Philipp Lahm (R) consoles Brazil's Oscar after the 2014 World Cup semi-finals between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSA general view of the scoreboard shows the result at the end of the 2014 World Cup semi-finals between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSGermany soccer fans kiss a Brazilian fan at the end of a broadcast of the 2014 World Cup semi- final soccer match between Brazil and Germany in Sao Paulo, July 8, 2014. REUTERSBrazil's David Luiz (L) and Thiago Silva react after they lost their during their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSGermany's players celebrate after winning their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Brazil at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSGermany's national soccer players raise their arms in celebration of their win over Brazil at the end of their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSGermany's Andre Schuerrle and Thomas Mueller (L) celebrate after Schuerrle scored his second goal, the team's seventh, against Brazil during their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSBrazil's Oscar scores brazil's only goal during their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERSMarcelo holds the jersey of Neymar as Brazil's national team pose before their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERS
