Boos rang out around the Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, as a limp and dazed Brazil team ended their World Cup dream in tears.

Four goals in six stunning minutes put paid to any Brazilian hopes of a sixth world title.

Among them was a 16th World Cup goal for Miroslav Klose, making him the top goalscorer in the tournament's history - one more than Brazil's Ronaldo.

Germany tore Brazil apart in the midfield, dictating play and running rings around the hapless team in yellow.

And for everything they lacked in midfield, they lacked in defence.

One early chance as Hulk whipped a cross into the penalty area came to nothing, and from then Germany bossed the tie.

Toni Kroos' corner on 11 minutes found a path to Thomas Müller, who needed no second invite to whip the ball past Julio Cesar.

It was the first of countless examples of woeful Brazilian defending.

As Brazil pushed for an equaliser, they left even more gaps in midfield.

The Germans licked their lips, and pounced.

Klose made World Cup history on 22 minutes after following up a tame first shot on goal with a second that doubled Germany's lead.

Miroslav Klose's 16th World Cup goal broke Ronaldo's tournament record ©Getty Images



Two minutes later, Kroos smashed the ball in from 20 yards to all but sink Brazil's chances.

And if they were sunk after 24 minutes, they were battered after 26, when Kroos was on hand again for a simple tap-in - and it all came from sloppy Brazilian play at the kick-off.

With the life all but sucked out of the Estádio Mineirão, and painful looks etched on the faces of every Brazilian man, woman and child, it got unbearably worse.

Six minutes after the Germans doubled their lead, Sami Khedira coolly slotted home the ball after Mesut Ozil, equally coolly, brought him into play.

The Brazilians were empty of any skill, and as they walked off at halftime to boos, the post-mortem had already begun.

'If only Neymar was playing', 'we need Thiago Silva', were the obvious ripostes.

But Neymar, injured, and Silva, suspended, were not going to save Brazil today.

Hulk and Fernandinho both came off to be replaced by Paulinho and Ramires for the second 45.

But it would not get any better.

A chance or two went begging - Neuer proving he is one of the finest goalkeepers on the planet.

Andre Schurrle added his name to the scoresheet on 69 minutes, and chalked up a second 10 minutes later with a wonderful strike which kissed the crossbar on its way in.

As the game edged towards the 90th minute, Ozil missed a prime chance to make it eight, skimming the ball wide.

Moments later at the other end, Brazil got the most scant of consolations through Oscar.

Many of Brazil's players were left dazed and in tears after the full time whistle was blown ©Getty Images



It was 7-1, the most colossal defeat any team has suffered in a World Cup semi-final.

Brazil were poor, Germany rampant.

The one other time these two teams have met in the World Cup was the 2002 final in Yokohama, which Brazil won 2-0 with two Ronaldo goals.

What a difference 12 years make.

After semi-final knockouts at home in 2006 and in South Africa 2010, Germany have a chance of winning their fourth World Cup, their first since 1990.

Argentina or The Netherlands, who will play their semi-final tomorrow, lie in wait.

They may well be shaking in their boots at what could lie in wait at the Maracanã on Sunday (July 13).

It will take quite a bit of time for the sporting world to fully digest what happened in Belo Horizonte today.

The world's greatest and most successful footballing nation utterly humiliated at their own World Cup.

Surely their worst moment.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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