Germany obliterated host Brazil 7-1 to reach its record eighth World Cup final. The game was over within the first 30 minutes, with Germany scoring four goals in the span of six minutes and five in the first half alone.
For Brazil, the five-time winners of the World Cup and a team that had not been beaten on home territory in the World Cup since 1950, it was the worst humiliation ever suffered on the pitch.
Some of the records that were broken in that first half: Klose puts Germany up 2-0 to become the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup, with 16 goals; Kroos slots home to make it 4-0 to Germany, the first time Brazil trailed by four in any World Cup match; and Özil lays it off to Khedira to make it 5-0, the first time any team has scored five goals during a single half in the World Cup.
Germany only took 10 shots the entire half, but the team converted five, and if Özil’s final ball had been more accurate, it could have been more.
Much of Brazil’s preparations for the semifinal focused on how the team would cope without injured superstar Neymar and captain Thiago Silva. The team imploded, battered into a shapeless mess by the “Mannschaft,” which was relentless. Müller was left completely unmarked for the first goal, and after that the Brazilian defense disintegrated.
Without a chance of recovery, Brazil came out for the second half seeking consolation. They started the half off with remarkable spirit, attacking the Germans with verve, but every time it looked like they might score, Manuel Neuer, the 6-foot-4 German keeper, was there to block.
Alas for Brazil, Germany’s subs were eager to get on the pitch as well, and Andre Schürrle scored two goals within 11 minutes of coming on, the second of which was so gorgeous that the Brazilian fans gave him a standing ovation. Finally, minutes before the end of the match, Oscar grabbed a goal for Brazil, but like an entire nation, he was still crying when the final whistle was blown.
For Germany, however, this victory will mean little if it is not followed by another on Sunday at the Maracana in Rio di Janeiro. In 2010, they spanked Argentina 4-0 and England 4-1, only to lose against Spain in the semifinals. A team that beat Portugal and Brazil by a combined score of 11-1 and even managed to squeak by the mighty USA will not be satisfied with anything less than a fourth World Cup trophy.
Holland, Argentina — good luck stopping them.