Last week’s quarter-finals all proved to be closely matched contests with both Germany and Argentina progressing on the back of 1-0 victories, Brazil defeated Colombia 2-1 and Holland only just edged out Costa Rica on penalties following 120 minutes’ play during which neither side managed to score.
On Tuesday night, Germany disputed the first of the two final berths with hosts Brazil who lost both Neymar and Thiago Silva through injury and suspension respectively. The pair were sorely missed as manager Joachim Loew’s men cruelly exposed their counterparts’ all-too-obvious shortcomings, an often completely absent Brazilian defence leaking no less than five goals during the opening 29 minutes.
By the time the final whistle echoed around the hushed stadium, the score line read 7-1, representing the heaviest semi-final defeat in a World Cup as well as Brazil’s worst performance on the pitch during their illustrious 84-year history.
Germany now look forward to taking on the winners between Holland and Argentina (played after the Resident went to press) in their bid to add a fourth World Cup victory to their collection on Sunday night.
