Brazil knew it would be difficult but its fans had no idea that it would this painful. What Germany did to Brazil was "murder" by sporting standards. The five-time world champions were defeated 1-7 in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The hosts suffered the worst defeat in its world cup history, and the fans feel the agony like never before.
Brazil suffered double blows in its quarter-final match against Colombia. Its captain Thiago Silva got the second yellow card in the tournament, which ensured that he would miss the semi-final match against Germany. The second blow, which was more severe in nature, was Neymar's injury. The Brazilian striker's broken vertebra threw him off the rest of the tournament. Every Brazil fan was aware that it would be hard to beat Germany which had been one of the most consistent teams in the tournament. However, not even the most audacious German fan had imagined such a score line against Brazil on its home soil.
Even nature was shedding tears for the football-crazy nation as the tropical rain drenched the stadium which witnessed an unprecedented elimination in world cup history by any team. Germany scored one after another. In fact, 4 of its goals came within 6 minutes in the first half, and Brazil looked like clumsy school-boys playing against a team of monsters. Germany found the net with clinical finishing.
Miroslav Klose scored a goal to become the highest goal-scorer in world cups. To add insult to Brazil's injury, he got past former Brazilian superstar Ronaldo to achieve the feat. André Schürrle and Toni Kroos scored 2 each while Thomas Müller and Sami Khedira scored 1 each. It seemed like every German player was capable enough to score a goal against a miserable Brazil. Moreover, Manuel Neuer saved several Brazilian attempts in the second half, restricting the South American team to scoring only one goal to restore its pride on an extremely marginal level.
This will remain as the darkest day in Brazilian football, and it will take a while for Brazil to move ahead, shrugging off this defeat.
Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au
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A Brazil soccer fan walks 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. REUTERS/Jorge SilvaBrazil 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. REUTERS/Jorge SilvaA Brazilian soccer fan reacts after watching a live broadcast match where Brazil was beaten by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, at a Brazilian restaurant in Lima July 8, 2014.REUTERS/Enrique Castro-MendiviA 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/Kai PfaffenbachA Brazil fan sits dejected on the beach after the 2014 World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Germany at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 8, 2014.REUTERS/Pilar OlivaresA Brazil soccer fan reacts as he watches the 2014 World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Germany at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 8, 2014.REUTERS/Pilar OlivaresA 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. REUTERS/Ueslei MarcelinoBrazil'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. REUTERS/David GrayBrazil knew it would be difficult but its fans had no idea that it would this painful. What Germany did to Brazil was “murder” by sporting standards. REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachBrazil fans react while holding a mask of Neymar after the 2014 World Cup semi-finals between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014.REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
