TheCable

Germany are through to the World Cup final after beating hosts Brazil 7-1 in one of the most extraordinary matches in the tournament’s history.

After conceding early on, Brazil proceeded to leak four goals in six minutes before the halftime whistle. Die Mannschaft scored twice more in the second half before Brazil managed a last-gasp consolation. Germany eventually won by the biggest margin in World Cup semifinal history.

It took Germany only 11 minutes to break the deadlock, with a corner from Mesut Ozil volleyed home by a free Thomas Muller at the back post. The Brazilian defence was in disarray, and much worse was to follow.

The hosts initially responded patiently to going behind, but struggled to convert their possession into any goal-scoring chances. They were made to pay a heavy price by a brilliant German move midway through the first half, with Miroslav Klose tapping in a rebound after a string of swift, incisive passes, ensuring he became the World Cup’s all-time record goal scorer with 16 goals.

What followed was some of the most remarkable passages of play ever witnessed at the World Cup, as Brazil capitulated in their own back yard. Within seconds of Klose’s goal, Toni Kroos had fired Germany three ahead, with a loose ball rifled beyond goalkeeper Julio Cesar from the edge of the penalty area.

A fourth came within another minute of play, after a silly midfield giveaway from Fernandinho allowed Kroos to play a simple one-two with Sami Khedira before slotting into an empty net. On the half-hour Germany had added a fifth, with Khedira getting himself on the score sheet on the back of a tidy interchange with Ozil.

At halftime, the Brazilians left the field on the verge of tears, their fans unable to show such restraint. A chorus of boos rang around the Estadio Mineirao as the players trudged into their dressing rooms. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari responded with a couple of substitutions, as the Selecao set about salvaging any pride they could.

They started the second half surprisingly well, and should have pulled one back within six minutes of the restart. Substitute Ramires found Oscar free in the penalty area, but the midfielder was denied by a point-blank save from Neuer. The German goalkeeper made an even better double-stop moments later, with Paulinho twice testing him from inside the box.

But as in the first half, Brazil quickly faded and allowed Germany to take control. They were twice thwarted by saves from César before Andre Schurrle slotted Philipp Lahm’s pass home for 6-0. Ten minutes later, he’d completed his brace and scored Die Mannschaft’s seventh, with a marvelous effort that cracked off the underside of the crossbar before hitting the back of the net.

Ozil should have added an eighth in the final minute of normal time, but he fired wide when one-on-one with Cesar. Brazil responded by finally producing a consolation, with Oscar beating Neuer from close range.

By the final whistle, the Brazilian fans had begun cheering every German pass. Coach Scolari now has the unenviable task of lifting his players for the third-place playoff, while Germany will head into Sunday’s final with confidence as high as ever.