Germany crushes Brazil in World Cup semifinal 7-1
BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Despite being a lopsided rout of a soccer power, Brazil has avoided a total shutout in the much-anticipated World Cup semifinal matchup.
Germany scored a barrage of early goals and led Brazil 7-0 with a 79th minute strike by forward Andre Schurrle, his second of the match. The five prior goals scored by the Germans in the first 29 minutes of the match is the fastest all time, according to ESPN.
But in an attempt to save Brazil from total humiliation, midfielder Oscar scored its lone goal just seconds before the game ended.
The score makes the most goals ever in a World Cup semifinal.
As Germany reveled in the win that sends their team to play the winner in Wednesday's match between Argentina and Netherlands, Brazilians were left to wonder how their footballers -- the host team -- could lose so badly.
The day actually started out festive as the Brazilian faithful dressed up in their colorful outfits. Outwardly they expected nothing short of a win. But the nation's dream of World Cup glory quickly turned into a nightmare.
With star Neymar out injured, after fracturing a vertebra in his back in the quarterfinal win over Colombia, and team captain Thiago Silva suspended, Brazil played a lackluster game allowing Germany to dominate the field, providing little defense and less solace for their shocked countrymen.
Germany took an early lead, with Toni Kroos scoring twice in two minutes and Miroslav Klose adding his record-setting 16th career World Cup goal. Thomas Mueller and Sami Khedira also scored.
Kroos scored his first goal in the 25th minute, knocking in a cross from Philipp Lahm. He made it 4-0 a minute later, beating Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar after a defensive mistake from Fernandinho.
By the 29-minute mark, Germany led 5-0, meaning for all intents and purposes, the game was over.
At the beginning of the second half, Brazil did try to rev themselves up, but Schurrle's two goals made it all but obvious that this would be near complete domination. the Brazilian gentry and national pride left bewildered.
The Brazilian team had not lost a competitive match played on their home soil since 1975, but were left with one of the most humiliating losses in World Cup history.
"The problem is psychological," Brazil fan Fabio Fontes told the Associated Press. "It would be normal for the team to lose against Germany, but not in his fashion."
Brazil's government spent billions in preparation for the tournament and hopes were high that their team would win the final. At the same time, the money spent sparked protest over the extravagance at at a time the country is cash strapped and facing high crime.
During a Fan Fest viewing on Copacabana Beach, a gang rummaged through the crowd snatching jewelry and bags, making an already bad situation worse and magnifying the defeat, the AP reported.
The loss was historic, to say the least. It was Brazil's worst since losing to Uruguay 6-0 in the 1920 South American Championship of Nations. It's also the most goals Brazil has allowed in a World Cup match since 1938, when they actually beat Poland 6-5 at Paris.
"We wanted to make the people happy ... unfortunately we couldn't," defender David Luiz said, according to the AP. "We apologize to all Brazilians"
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari offered a deeper, more solemn apology. One that sums up the sorrow the country will no doubt feel for days to come: "Naturally, if I think about my life as a player and as a coach, I think this was the worst day of my life," he said. "I know I'll probably be remembered for losing 7-1 to Germany, for Brazil's worst loss. But it was a risk I knew I was taking. I have to take responsibility for it. Life must go on for everybody."
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Lineups:
Brazil: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Dante, David Luiz, Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho, Oscar; Bernard, Fred, Hulk.
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Hoewedes; Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller; Miroslav Klose.