The Mineirazo: Brazil's 1-7 to Germany that humbled a nation (2014)
In the semi-final of their own World Cup, Brazil conceded seven goals to Germany, five of them in under half an hour. An unprecedented sporting tragedy.
On 8 July 2014, at the Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, Brazil suffered the greatest humiliation in their footballing history. In the semi-final of their own World Cup, the hosts lost 1-7 to Germany in a match remembered as the «Mineirazo», echoing the «Maracanazo» of 1950.
The disaster took shape in a handful of minutes. Müller opened on 11'; and between the 23rd and 29th minutes, Germany scored four goals (Klose, Kroos twice and Khedira) to lead 5-0. It was the fastest scoring burst in World Cup history.
In that 23rd minute, Miroslav Klose scored his 16th World Cup goal and became the tournament's all-time top scorer, overtaking Ronaldo. In the second half, Schürrle made it 6-0 and 7-0; Oscar pulled one back for Brazil in the 89th.
Brazil arrived weakened: without their star Neymar (a fractured vertebra against Colombia) and captain Thiago Silva (suspended). But nothing explained such a collapse against a Germany that would be crowned champions days later.
The 7-1 is the biggest goal difference in a World Cup semi-final and a wound that still stings in Brazil. A night when the home favourites fell apart in front of their own people.
Source: Wikipedia (Brazil v Germany, 2014 FIFA World Cup).