Germany produced one of the most remarkable results in football history this evening as they hammered hosts Brazil 7-1 to reach the World Cup final.
The Germans took the lead in the 11th minute through Thomas Muller before a record-breaking Miroslav Klose strike kicked off a spell of four goals in six minutes, with Toni Kroos (2) and Sami Khedira also netting.
Andre Schurrle came off the bench to get a brace of his own in the second half, while Oscar pulled one goal back in the 90th minute for the humiliated hosts.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at one of the most incredible nights ever seen on a football field.
Match statistics
BRAZIL
Shots: 18
On target: 8
Possession: 47%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 11
GERMANY
Shots: 14
On target: 10
Possession: 53%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 14
Was the result fair?
The stats, somehow, make this look like an even game, but it was anything but. The Germans simply dominated throughout and outclassed Brazil in every single area of the pitch. Often high-scoring matches like this can be a little misleading, but that was not the case tonight.
Germany could have had more than the seven they managed and, while Manuel Neuer made a couple of good saves in the second half, it was pretty much one-way traffic throughout. Brazil were dreadful and Germany were outstanding, the best and worst team performances of this World Cup occurring in the same match.
Tonight will go down in World Cup history, and football history in general, as one of the most astounding results ever. What makes it even more surprising is that it was thoroughly deserved, and Brazil can have absolutely no complaints at being so emphatically humbled and humiliated by a side that was immeasurably better than them in every conceivable way.
Brazil's performance
There are not the words to describe how bad Brazil were tonight, but we will give it a go. This is without a doubt the lowest moment in the history of such an incredible football nation, and it would be a surprise if they have ever played as badly as they did tonight.
Defensively, they were an utter shambles and Germany cut through them with alarming ease time after time. The absence of Thiago Silva was shockingly clear to see, as it was with Neymar at the other end as the Selecao offered nothing in attack until Germany took their foot off the pedal in the second half.
Still, such a horrendous display cannot be solely put down to missing their two best players, no matter how good those two are. Other players were a million miles away from stepping up to the plate, and that resulted in one of the worst performances from any side in World Cup history.
Before this match they were unbeaten at home since 2002 and unbeaten in a competitive home game since 1975. Now they hold the record for the worst ever defeat in a World Cup semi-final, while it also goes down as the heaviest loss in their nation's history. There will be damning post-mortems into this display and rightly so.
Without Neymar and Thiago Silva they looked like the worst Brazilian team of all time and it would be a surprise if a few of those players ever played for their country again. The Selecao need a long, hard look at themselves after this performance as it was unforgivable considering the stage and location.
Germany's performance
Simply put, they taught the Brazilians a football lesson tonight. This tournament has had everything but a dominant team that looks capable of going all the way - Germany are now that team. Of course, they cannot expect Argentina or Netherlands to play as badly as Brazil did, but if Germany can play as well in the final as they managed tonight then it would take a special performance to stop them lifting the trophy.
They were vastly superior to Brazil in every single position and dominated throughout, particularly in midfield. They were seemingly attacking at will and took full advantage of some suicidal Brazilian defending. It was a cold and calculated annihilation, showcasing their ruthless streak more than ever.
The anger Neuer expressed at conceding in the 90th minute shows that the Germans have the right attitude, as does their desire to push forward for yet more goals throughout the entire match. This was the best performance at the 2014 World Cup so far, and whoever they meet at the Maracana on Sunday will be quaking in their boots after tonight.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Toni Kroos: A number of German players could lay claim to this title, but Kroos gets it for his impeccable passing and build-up play throughout. He and Sami Khedira were the two best players on the park, and Kroos continued his domination once the latter was withdrawn in the second half.
The midfielder set up the opener and really got the rout going with two strikes in the space of a minute for the third and fourth Germany goals. His first was a great hit from the edge of the box, while the second saw him win the ball off Fernandinho before exchanging passes with Khedira and sliding an effort past the keeper. Bayern Munich may be thinking twice about selling him after this display.
Biggest gaffe
There is a plethora of gaffes to choose from in this match, and unsurprisingly they all come from Brazil. Short of awarding this to the Brazilian defensive effort as a whole, if there was one mistake worse than the rest it was probably Fernandinho losing the ball in a dangerous area, allowing Kroos to race through and make it 4-0.
Referee performance
Marco Rodriguez didn't have much to do other than watch on and try to keep track of the score tonight. He missed a couple of raised arms from Luiz in the first half that could have made things worse for Brazil, but he also correctly turned down a few penalty appeals from the hosts. Only one yellow card was brandished, and that was a deserved one for Dante.
What next?
Brazil: Somehow they must pick themselves up for the third-place playoff against the loser of the other semi-final in Brasilia on Saturday. Then, the rebuilding phase begins.
Germany: Their eighth World Cup final awaits at the Maracana on Sunday. Either Argentina or Netherlands will meet them there, with the second semi-final taking place tomorrow night.
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