Germans send Brazil into mourning with 7-1 humiliation

Belo Horizonte: A rampaging Germany destroyed five-time champion Brazil's reputation as a football powerhouse with a 7-1 humiliation to enter the World Cup final for record eighth time and send the football crazy host country into stunned silence and national mourning here today.

It was a devastating day for Brazil who were playing a highly emotional semifinal without injured superstar striker Neymar as they were steamrolled into submission by the Germans who took revenge of their 0-2 defeat in 2002 summit clash in Japan in the only other World Cup clash between the two sides.

Thomas Mueller opened scoring in the 11th minute before goals from Miroslav Klose (23rd), Toni Kroos (24th and 26th), Sami Khedira (29th) and Andre Schuerrle (69th and 79th) in front of the sea of heartbroken yellow clad Selecao fans at the Estadio Mineirao here.

Oscar scored the consolation goal for Brazil in the 90th minute but it was all over by then as Brazil ended their World Cup campaign at home under humiliating circumstances.

Today's defeat was Brazil's biggest international defeat in their proud history and the home fans understandably booed them towards the end of the match as it turned out to be a day of shame for the host country.

It seemed that the Brazillians have forgotten how to play football as they conceded five goals without reply in the opening half hour with the defence, without suspended captain Thiago Silva, looked like even worse than an amateur club side.

Klose became the highest scorer in World Cup history with his 16th strike today, surpassing Brazil legend Ronaldo's 15 goals. He also became the only player in history to play in four World Cup semifinals.

But his tremendous achievement seemed to have been drowned in the din of the scale of humiliation of Brazil, the tournament favourites with the Selecao fans weeping in the open while some were seen stunned at the way their team was decimated by the clinical Germans.