Hell night revisited
July 8, 2014 is still remembered as the worst day in Brazilian soccer history — and we were there when Brazil fell to Germany 7-1 in a World Cup semifinal. Here’s a look back
I thought I’d already witnessed the most insane, improbable and downright shocking result in my soccer journalism career.
But Honduras’ emphatic 8-1 shellacking of Canada during 2014 World Cup qualifying paled in comparison to one of the most surreal nights in FIFA World Cup history, a night everyone inside the Estadio Mineirao will have visions of for the rest of their lives.
Germany’s 7-1 defeat of Brazil four years ago was shocking for reasons beyond the box score. It happened in Brazil, in a World Cup semifinal, and in front of a yellow-clad audience that was quick to turn on its beloved Selecao.
Fan emotions that night transitioned from shock to dismay to humour when Brazil’s Oscar scored in the 90th minute.
The press box was steps away from a fan section full of Brazilians who sarcastically applauded the home side when it finally broke through. They were booed from the pitch minutes later.
That happened after they’d already respectfully applauded Germany when Andre Schurrle capped its scoring with a seventh goal.
“This is a catastrophic loss,” Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said in the aftermath. “It was terrible. Obviously, it was terrible.”
It was a lesson in how in how talent alone means nothing in this sport, a lesson on how quickly things can go sideways. Whereas LeBron James can single-handedly guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA Finals, soccer isn’t entirely about individuality.
Germany wasn’t six goals better on paper four years ago. It just took advantage of an epidemic of naiveté.
Watch the highlights and try to formulate how Brazil wanted to defend the best team in the tournament, the eventual champions. The Brazilians looked like an illprepared team that expected attacking talent alone to see them through on the day. One can’t help but think back to that night when examining the squad Brazil brought to Russia this time around.
The Selecao return just two players — Marcelo and Fernandinho — who started that World Cup semifinal in Belo Horizonte.
They’re younger up front and brought in more steel in midfield to provide balance to a side that’s traditionally known for attacking.
Real Madrid defensive midfielder Casemiro draws in to offer the mettle that was missing four years ago. Fellow holding midfielder Fernandinho will be key to freeing up guys like Willian and Neymar and Paulinho to be goal-dangerous.
Looking back, there are comparisons to be made between the worst nights in Canadian and Brazilian soccer history.
I was in the building for both. On both occasions, early goals led players to lose their tactical awareness.
All it takes is for two or three players to quit tracking back and blowouts result.
They’re the most memorable fixtures I’ve covered.
This is a catastrophic loss. It was terrible. Obviously, it was terrible. Then-Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on his side’s embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany at the 2014 World Cup