On the 8th of July 2014 inside the Estádio Mineirão in Brazil, were two teams that were about to compete for a place in the 2014 World Cup Final. As both teams made their way out of the tunnel, onto the pitch in an orderly line for the national anthems. You couldn’t help but notice the differing body language between the two sides. Brazil, competing in the yellow and blue strips looked incredibly fired-up, passionate and confident. Whilst bursting out with lyrics of Hino Nacional Brasiliero (Brazilian national anthem) on the faces of these players were seventeen scrunched up faces and six tear jerking grown men as they were bursting with a mixture of anticipation and excitement for this extremely high-pressure match. They looked almost too excited about this game as they sprinted into their position for the ninety minutes ahead.
On the other side of the tunnel were the German team being led out by captain Phillip Lahm. The German’s were playing in their relatively unknown black and red away kit. These pasty looking Europeans looked quietly ready for the game. Their Brazilian opponents were without the leadership and know-how of Thiago Silva who was suspended. Unlike the Brazilian’s, the German team featured many experienced and well established players. Even the younger German squad members appeared straight-faced, with an intensely focused look in their eyes (not that I was staring in their eyes, honest!). During the national anthems, the German’s appeared proud but focused for the massive game ahead of them. Unlike their South American opponents they restrained from showing the same overemphasized emotion for the occasion.
From the beginning of the game, it was clear that the Brazilians were struggling to adjust to the German’s high intensity. Joachim Low’s tactics were to allow Brazil’s defenders plenty of time on the ball. When the ball reached any of Brazil’s midfielders, they would be pressed quickly and allowed next to no time to search for a pass. Long, aimless and hopeless “passes” from the likes of David Luiz were a result of this pressure.
After just 11 minutes Phillip Lahm found himself with the first corner of the match on the right flank. He struck an inviting cross to Thomas Muller, who escaped his marker Luiz and side footed the ball past the Brazilian keeper (a name you will hear frequently throughout this match report) Julio Cesar.
As the German pressure continued, David Luiz started making poor attacking and defensive decisions.
At twenty-three minutes, the impressive and decisive Toni Kroos played in a brilliant through-ball for Thomas Muller. Muller unselfishly passed to Miroslaw Klose, who on the second time of asking clipped the ball passed Julio Cesar. This goal saw Germany go two goals up on the night, and also saw Klose become the all time top scorer of the World Cup, with sixteen goals. One in front of the Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
Just one minute later the free scoring German’s scored their third goal. After brilliant work again by Phillip Lahm on the right flank, he produced another inch perfect cross into the path of Thomas Muller, Muller then swung at the ball and missed the ball completely, for it to only fall kindly into the path of Toni Kroos who lashed it into the corner of the net with his weaker foot.
Astonishingly, two minutes after the German’s well worked third goal, Toni Kroos again added a fourth. After Fernandinho was robbed by Muller in the centre circle. Muller then passed perfectly into the dominant feet of Real Madrid’s Kroos, who struck it in for his second and Germany’s fourth of the evening.
On 29 minutes, the German’s scored their fourth goal inside nine minutes. Hummels made a driving run from the heart of defence, before laying it off for Khedira, who played a one two with Mesut Ozil as he side footed it past the busy and helpless Julio Cesar. Sami Khedira’s goal saw Brazil convert five goals in less than half an hour.
At the end of the first 45 minutes it was a healthy 5-0 lead to a rampant and free flowing German side. During and after this game social media was filled with surprised comments of the astonishing score line.
The respected Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker declared on twitter “ Our stats man has spontaneously self-combusted!”.
England’s injured winger Theo Walcott also described the feeling of all watching the game perfectly by using only one word “ Speechless”. Although most agreed that German would win the game, few believed they would look so convincing in all parts of their game.
The start of the second half saw the under pressure Brazilian manager Phil Scolari introduce the industrious midfielders Ramires and Paulinho, as he looked to restore a small amount of pride back into the nation. In the first 15 minutes Brazil forced the first half spectating goalkeeper Manuel Neur into some terrific reaction saves after impressively spirited play by substitutes Ramires, Bernard and Paulinho.
As the frustration from the home fans continued, Brazilian’s in the stadium even began to “Ole” every German pass. These “Ole’s” would disappear every time Scolari or a disheartened Brazilian player appeared on the stadiums big screen.
At 69 minutes, substitute Andres Schurrle scored with his first touch after coming on for Klose. The goal was scored after continuous brilliant play from the Germans and in particular Toni Kroos. Kroos fed a perfectly weighted pass into the box for Muller, he then cut inside and laid the ball off to Schurrle who fired the ball passed Cesar. 6-0 Germany with the substitutes looking to impress Joachim Low.
After ten more minutes of German dominance, Chelsea’s Andres Schurrle received the ball again, this time just outside the box. After a brilliant first touch, he set himself up nicely and scored a brilliant half volley into the roof of the net from an acute angle.
The Brazilian and German’s joint “Ole’s” looked to continue until the final whistle. However, Brazil were given a consulation when Oscar brilliantly dragged the ball passed two German defenders and expertly slotted past Manuel Neur. The 60,000 inside the stadium all joined in with a sarcastic cheer. These cheers soon turned to boo’s once the painful final whistle was blown to signify Brazil’s first loss on home soil in over fifty years.
Sadly, many will look back on this year’s World Cup as the year Brazil lost 7-1 to Germany. Instead of the tournaments dramatic closures to certain matches and high scoring games. Loosing to Germany is nothing for Brazil to be embarrassed about, but the way it was lost will forever dampen the Brazilian fans outlook on this year’s magnificent showcase of football.
Article by Joseph James