Real Madrid will have a representative in the World Cup final after Sami Khedira’s Germany humiliated hosts Brazil 7-1 last night.
Brazil, who included Los Blancos left-back Marcelo in the line-up, went into the game on the back of a tidal wave of emotion in their home country, and with the motivation to lift the World Cup in the absence of the injured Neymar.
But their dreams were shattered as they found themselves 5-0 down inside 30 minutes, which included a devastating spell that saw Joachim Low’s side score four goals in just six minutes of action. Sami Khedira got himself on the score sheet, while Toni Kroos – who will likely be playing his football at the Santiago Bernabeu next season – also netted twice.
The score line made history for a number of reasons. It was the heaviest defeat in a World Cup semi-final ever, it was Brazil’s biggest ever loss, and their first defeat in a competitive match on home soil for almost 40 years. Miroslav Klose also become the highest goal scoring player in World Cup finals matches, moving ahead of former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo to stand out on 16 goals alone.
Thomas Muller opened the scoring on 11 minutes, and it all unreeled after that. Klose (23’), Kroos (24’,26’) and Khedira (29’) all found the back of the net as Marcelo and his fellow defenders put in a performance that they and their fans across the country could not have imagined even in their worst nightmares.
Germany did not let up in the second half, with substitute Schurrle adding two more. Oscar scored late on for the hosts but it wasn’t even of any consolation to Brazil’s supporters who turned on their team with a vicious torrent of abuse at the end of the game. Much soul searching will go on in the South American country, and many of the squad who took part in the humiliating experience will unlikely wear the famous yellow jersey again.
Germany meanwhile will sit back and watch the semi-final tonight between Argentina and Holland. Angel di Maria will play no part having been ruled out through injury.
