Nation in tears with Brazil’s humiliation

BRAZIL’S DREAMS of making a return to a World Cup final in the Maracana were shattered in the most agonising manner as Germany inflicted on the hosts one of the most remarkable defeats in the 84-year history of this competition.

Tears flowed like water in the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte as before even half-an-hour had gone, Brazil were 5-0 down, and the final scoreline was 7-1, eclipsing their worst-ever defeat, 6-0 to Uruguay back in 1920 before the World Cup had even begun.

Two goals for Toni Kroos and Andre Schurrle, plus one each for Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira, and a recordbreaking 16th World Cup goal for Miroslav Klose saw the visitors delirious, while Brazil begins a period of soul-searching such as never before.

Germany will go into Sunday’s final at the Maracana to face Argentina or Holland on the highest of highs.

The pain was so intense for Brazil, who had arrived at the Estadio Mineirao intent on honouring their missing talisman, Neymar.

They tried to use his absence as an inspiration, parading slowly on to the field linked in crocodile formation, with stand-in captain David Luiz and goalkeeper Julio Cesar clutching Neymar’s shirt as they belted out the national anthem.

The opening period was always going to be a testing one for Germany, with the partisan crowd baying every Brazilian touch and tackle.

Marcelo was cheered wildly after sending a 25-yard shot skimming a couple of yards wide, but there was a frantic feel to it, as though the Neymar emotion had spilled over into a frenzy, with Germany capable of punishing any slackness.

That almost happened early on when Mesut Ozil delivered a sweet cross for Khedira to volley only for his shot to strike Kroos.

Picture: Getty Images. Record breaker Miroslav Klose, not pictured, scores Germany’s second goal past Julio Cesar in Belo Horizonte as hosts Brazil went crashing out of the World Cup.