Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, 08.07.2014
7-1 (5-0)
Müller 11., Klose 23., Kroos 24., 26., Khedira 29., Schürrle 69., 79. / Oscar 90.
Germany versus Brazil, the ultimate classic. The Nationalmannschaft against the tournament hosts, with a place in the World Cup final at stake. Even before the kick off in Belo Horizonte, everybody knew that this was going to be a classic. They just didn’t know how significant it would be, not just for fans of the German team but footballing history.
When Thomas Müller put the Mannschaft a goal up after just eleven minutes, the immediate thought was to hold the lead. Then, Miroslav Klose doubled the advantage – and, if just to rub it in – claimed Ronaldo’s goal-scoring record for himself with his sixteenth World Cup finals goal. Then a third from Toni Kroos. Second later, Kroos again with a fourth. As the watching world was desperately trying to draw breath, Sami Khedira slammed in number fine. All inside half an hour.
The second half saw the Germans take a bit of a breather before substitute André Schürrle hit numbers six and seven. Seven. Against the hosts. Not just any old hosts, but the mighty Brazil. Brazil, in their own stadium. A team that hadn’t been beaten at home for a year short of four decades. It was happening right in front of our eyes, but it was almost unreal. A dream.
Mesut Özil could have made it eight, but when the move broke down Brazil finally managed to get something on the board. After this, it would have been a travesty for Germany not to win a fourth World Cup.
Immediate Reaction »
Minute-by-minute Match Report »
Match Analysis & Player Ratings »
Germany: Neuer – Lahm (c), Boateng, Hummels (46. Mertesacker), Höwedes – Schweinsteiger, Khedira (76. Draxler) – Kroos, Özil, Müller – Klose (58. Schürrle)
Brazil: Júlio César – Maicon, David Luiz (c), Dante, Marcelo – Luiz Gustavo – Fernandinho (46. Paulinho) – Hulk (46. Ramires), Oscar, Bernard – Fred (69. Willian)
Referee: Marco Antonio Rodríguez (Mexico)
Assistants: Marvin Torrentera, Marcos Quintero (Mexico)
Fourth Official: Mark Geiger (United States)
Fifth Official: Mark Sean Hurd (United States)
Yellow Cards: – / Dante 68.
Red Cards: – / –
Ball Possession: 48% / 52%
Attempts on Target: 12 / 13
Attempts off Target: 2 / 5
Corners: 5 / 7
Fouls Committed: 14 / 11
Attendance: 58,141
Man of the Match: Toni Kroos