Brazil 1 Germany 7: Brazil are crushed as Germans romp into Cup final

The absence of Neymar and captain Thiago Silva saw an evening of high emotion pre-kick-off at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte turn to a first-half horror show as Brazil conceded five goals.

Two goals by Toni Kroos, plus one each for Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira and record-breaking 16th World Cup goal for Miroslav Klose saw the visitors almost delirious and the hosts struck dumb.

Brazil had tried to use Neymar’s absence as an inspiration, slowly parading on to the field in a 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 and Germany looked capable of punishing any slackness.

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

A break by Khedira then led to the corner from which Germany took the lead in the 11th minute. Kroos took it, and it was straightforward enough but Brazil’s marking went into meltdown and Muller slotted it home low past Cesar while Luiz beat the ground in frustration.

Marcelo burst into the Germany penalty area and a pinpoint sliding tackle by Philipp Lahm stopped him in full stride – the Brazilian full-back’s pleadings for a penalty resulted in a bout of pushing and shoving but only a corner.

Brazil’s high tempo only served to make them vulnerable on the break and Germany made them pay again, this time Klose becoming a World Cup’s record-breaker.

Another sweet passing move saw Muller lay the ball off and although Cesar stopped his first effort, Klose buried the rebound.

Two minutes later and it was 3-0, Lahm’s cross going all the way across the area for Kroos to slam home left-footed from 18 yards.

Another two minutes, another goal. From a goal-kick Fernandinho was robbed by Khedira who unselfishly played in Kroos for a virtual tap-in for 4-0.

By this time Brazil fans were in tears and a few leaving their seats, but the German machine marched on mercilessly.

Less than half an hour had gone and the hosts were 5-0 down. Ozil, who had come alive in this match, tormented the defence and exchanged passes to set up Khedira for a first-time finish.

At least the goals fest stopped for 24 minutes at the start of the second-half, as Germany stepped off the gas.

But it was 6-0 on 69 minutes, and again the Brazil defence was shocking as Lahm picked out substitute Andre Schürrle who slotted home.

The Chelsea midfielder then lashed home a seventh to complete the humiliation.

Consolation, if it could be classed as that, came from Brazil’s Oscar when he got the hosts on the scoresheet in the closing moments.

Captain Robin van Persie may miss Holland’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina tonight with an upset stomach.

Van Persie has been instrumental in Holland’s run to the last four of the tournament, but he had to train separately from his team-mates yesterday after he had complained of a stomach problem.

Injury doubts Ron Vlaar and Leroy Fer took part in training, as did midfielder Nigel de Jong who had been expected to miss the rest of the World Cup after suffering a groin injury in the group stage win over Mexico.

Angel Di Maria is a doubt for Argentina.