One of the — if not the — most famous non-title game in Germany’s World Cup history was the 7-1 victory over Brazil on July 8, 2014.
Not only did Germany bounce the Brazilians from the tournament, but they did so on Brazil’s home turf. It was a massive victory, but, somehow, it is still hard to capture the magnitude of the effort.
To relive one of the greatest overall moments in Germany’s football history, our staffers sat down and recalled the event.
Michael Scott aka LoneStar249
What do you remember most about the day and what
was your favorite part of the game?
I remember the buzz building up to the match. Every contest in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals was tight and momentum was growing for the host country. After Brazil beat an overachieving Colombia side and Germany squeezed past France, I predicted that “no amount of hometown calls will save Brazil from the blitzkrieg that’s coming their way.” I took a lot of flak for four days and then received 90 minutes of savage vindication.
Which player impressed you most?
Toni Kroos. He had just been told by Bayern Munich that he was not good enough for them. Other clubs reached out but his personal situation was in major flux. A lot of Germany’s first half goals were very calm, like they were playing with their food. Kroos always makes the game look so much easier than it actually is and I thought this performance was the epitome of the player he was and would become.
Were you 100% certain after that result that Germany was going to win the World Cup?
Absolutely. Argentina only scored twice in their three knockout stages matches and one of those goals was in the 118th minute. I expected Germany to reverse the script from the 2010 World Cup when Spain played keep-away for 90 minutes. Germany maintained control throughout the match and eventually broke through with Mario Götze’s magical moment. Even in extra time, I never had a doubt.
zippy
What do you remember most about the day and what was your favorite part of the game?
Tuning in for an exciting semifinal not really knowing what to expect. I felt Brazil was hard done by with the Neymar injury in the previous round, so they were right up against it. However, Germany did not exactly blast its way to the semis either. I just remember staring agape as goal after goal went in in that spell-binding five minute sequence in the middle of the first half. Could not believe what I was seeing in a game of that stature. Granted, you feel horrible about it in some sense, the absolute embarrassment inflicted on a proud host nation. But it was also a spectacle to watch and my favorite team were running riot. What a game.
Which player impressed you most?
Toni Kroos. Man scores a goal, the camera’s showing him jogging off his celebration and then he goes right back and scores another. You know what, André Schürrle’s worldie was something else, too.
Were you 100% certain after that result that Germany was going to win the World Cup?
Oh for sure. I thought, this is the best team in the world by a country mile. You forget sometimes that the score resets and there are no — well, almost no — easy games. But I thought they would waltz over Argentina in the Final.
RIPLT
What do you remember most about the day and what was your favorite part of the game?
The one bit that stood out to me that day was when Toni Kroos scored twice in quick succession. It was 3-0 at the time and the TV feed just finished showing the replays of the third goal (scored by Kroos), then it cut back to the match just in time for everyone to see Kroos dispossess Fernandinho, play a 1-2 with Sami Khedira, and slot in the fourth goal. From that moment, I knew that Germany was THE team to beat and that they were near enough unstoppable. We also can’t forget Miroslav Klose’s record-breaking goal, which puts him one ahead of Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario (or R9 Ronaldo).
Another part that I liked, or rather found amusing, was the full-time score graphic at the end of the match and a lot of people pointed this out too: never has a final score line at the end of a World Cup match required scrolling up and down to display the goal scorers. That alone is insane to think about, but when you remember it’s the penultimate round of the tournament, before the actual final, makes the Germans’ feat even more impressive.
Which player impressed you most?
There were two players who impressed me that match. First was of course Toni Kroos, who had two goals and total control of the midfield alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger and Khedira. Second was Thomas Müller, who did his usual Raumdeuter duties like in the build-up to the second goal, dummying the ball to Kroos for the third, and assisting André Schürrle for the seventh.
Were you 100% certain after that result that Germany was going to win the World Cup?
When Khedira put Germany 5-0 up by 29 minutes, I knew right there that this team is destined to win the World Cup. Beating the hosts 7-1 in the semifinals of the World Cup is a statement. It’s Germany’s way of saying, “you don’t wanna mess with us.” After the wins against Algeria (2-1 a.e.t.) and France (1-0), I was cautiously optimistic that Germany could win the whole thing but the blowout of Brazil just sent operation Win the World Cup into overdrive. Not even the individual brilliance of Lionel Messi could stop the German juggernauts in the final.
Teddy “Maverick” Son
What do you remember most about the day and what was your favorite part of the game?
I was actually in my high school dorm. It was a 5am kickoff Korea time, and I had set my alarm to watch the game. Naturally, I was still a bit sleepy, and what happened after kickoff was…well, enough to jolt me out of that stupor, although part of me was wondering if I was still dreaming. I distinctly remember I also briefly considered the possibility of match-fixing.
Thomas Müller’s goal was good. Miroslav Klose’s goal was historic. But the three that followed were just hard to believe. I wasn’t even celebrating, I was kind of stunned into silence at that point. Seven goals in a World Cup semifinal against Brazil in their backyard. When will that ever happen again?
Which player impressed you most?
I know the easy answers are Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose, those names. But I’m going to be a bit different and say Manuel Neuer. Brazil did have a flurry of chances at the start of the second half, but Neuer made sure that the 5-0 lead stayed as it was, and that Brazil’s last hopes would be dashed. Andre Schürrle’s goals were the nails in the coffin. I still remember Neuer’s double save against Paulinho from point-blank range.
Honorable mention goes to Philipp Lahm, who got two assists and completely tore up Brazil’s left flank. Also, that clean tackle on Marcelo in the first half was so accurate it could have challenged Korea in Olympic archery.
Were you 100% certain after that result that Germany was going to win the World Cup?
I’m never 100% certain about anything, especially not in football. I was just hoping that they beat Argentina, which they did, and I was happy. Most people go their entire lives without seeing a team they support win the World Cup. I am very privileged in that regard.
Dylan van Vulpen
What do you remember most about the day and what was your favorite part of the game?
Germany versus Brazil was the most anticipated game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and as such my friend group decided to throw a massive watch party — I was the only Germany supporter. Nonetheless, I armored up in my lucky Germany jersey, ready to face the horde of Brazilian supporters alone while Die Mannschaft prepared to battle a passionate Brazilian side, desperately chasing World Cup glory on home soil. Safe to say, Brazil’s wait would continue.
What transpired was the most unbelievable game of football I had ever witnessed in my entire life, and to this day, my favorite Germany game of all time.
Which player impressed you most?
Bastian Schweinsteiger. Philipp Lahm had the armband, but Schweinsteiger gave a piece of his body and soul leading Germany to their first World Cup victory in 24 years.
Der Fußballgott came into the tournament plagued by recurring ankle and knee injuries which persisted up until the final whistle of Germany’s 1-0 extra-time victory against Argentina. But despite his setbacks, Basti gritted his teeth and endured, battling through excruciating pain all the way until the end.
The physical damage cost Schweinsteiger years of his career, but it didn’t matter. To him, helping Germany over every hurdle and across the finish line was his duty — a true soldier, always leading on the front lines of the battlefield.
Were you 100% certain after that result that Germany was going to win the World Cup?
Absolutely not. I’m an optimist by nature, but when it comes to sports, I never count my chickens before they hatch.
It seemed as if the stars were aligning for Lionel Messi, who was finally within touching distance from a trophy that had eluded him for his entire career. Although Messi’s time would eventually come, the football gods had other plans.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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