Mineirao Stadium

Brazil 1
Oscar 90;
Germany 7
Mueller 11; Klose 23; Kroos 24, 26; Khedira 29; Schuerrle 69, 79;

Germany scored five goals in 18 astonishing first-half minutes on their way to a 7-1 semi-final mauling of Brazil last night which shattered the host nation’s hopes of winning their sixth World Cup.

It was the most shocking result in the tournament’s history, Brazil’s record World Cup defeat and their first at home in 64 competitive matches since 1975.

Germany will meet Argentina or the Netherlands in Sunday’s final in Rio de Janeiro after an unbelievable performance in which striker Miroslav Klose became the tournament’s highest scorer of all time with his 16th World Cup goal.

Miroslav Klose slots the ball past Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

The only consolation for Brazil after a match featuring some truly abject defending from Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men was a goal from Oscar in the dying minutes.

Thomas Mueller started the rout with an 11th-minute volley and although Germany looked to be the better team after an early period of Brazil pressure, there was little indication of the devastation about to be unleashed.

Brazil were playing without injured forward Neymar and suspended captain and defensive linchpin Thiago Silva and it was the latter’s absence that proved far more costly.

The hosts’ defence simply caved in.

They conceded four times between the 23rd minute when Klose made it 2-0 and the 29th when Sami Khedira put Germany 5-0 in front.

Andre Schuerrle, who replaced Klose in the 58th minute added two more, the second an angled shot that flew in off the crossbar.

Toni Kroos celebrates his goal with Sami Khedira.

With Germany 1-0 ahead, Klose scored from a rebound after goalkeeper Julio Cesar saved his initial shot for his 16th goal in his 23rd World Cup appearance.

But worse was to follow for Brazil a minute later when Toni Kroos, lurking with intent but unmarked at the edge of the area, smashed home with the outside of his left foot to make it 3-0.

He scored again just two minutes later to make it 4-0 and Brazil’s pain continued when Khedira made it 5-0 after a one-two with Mesut Ozil in the 29th minute.

Any hopes Brazil had of saving the game ended there but to their credit they rallied at the start of the second half and forced a series of saves from Germany keeper Manuel Neuer before Schuerrle struck after 69 and 79 minutes.

Oscar’s late goal was greeted

by an ironic cheer from the shocked home fans who were in tears at the end of the most incredible World Cup game ever played.

Brazil: 12-Julio Cesar; 6-Marcelo, 23-Maicon, 13-Dante, 4-David Luiz; 17-Luiz Gustavo, 5-Fernandinho (46 8-Paulinho), 20-Bernard, 11-Oscar, 7-Hulk (46 16-Ramires); 9-Fred (69 Willian).

Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 16-Philipp Lahm; 20-Jerome Boateng; 5-Mats Hummels (46 17-Per Mertesacker); 4-Benedikt Hoewedes; 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger; 6-Sami Khedira (76 14-Julian Draxler); 18-Toni Kroos; 8-Mesut Ozil; 13-Thomas Mueller, 11-Miroslav Klose (58 9-Andre Schuerrle).

Referee: Marco Rodriguez.