Tuesday, 8 July 2014

World Cup 2014 semifinal LIVE: Brazil 0-5 Germany - Firstpost

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Save save save! Neuer under siege - 55 minutes


Neuer has to make three more brilliant saves in the last five minutes. First he foils Fred with a world-class beat-away and then makes two saves as Paulinho shoots from point-blank range — once on the half volley and once immediately from the initial shot's rebound. Incredible!!


Neuer has no sympathy — not like Casillas at least - 50 minutes


Lovely pass from Fred to Ramires who just needs to pull it a few yards to Oscar who is waiting to tap in. The pass comes in but Neuer throws a hand from nowhere and saves.


Remember Casillas at Euro 2012? His, 'referee respect for Italy' request when Spain were 4-0 up in the final? Watch below (click here to watch if you're accessing this page on your phone)



Stat: Germany is the FIRST country to score 5 goals in a half hour of play in the history of the World Cup.


Three subs at HT


Hummels off for Mertesacker. Hulk and Fernandinho off for Ramires and Paulinho.



Stat: Brazil has not allowed five goals at home in 75 years — not since losing 1-5 to Argentina on 01.15.1939 in Rio de Janeiro.


It's HT, it's 5-0 and we're not joking


It's astounding, stunning -- and possibly the most shocking half in World Cup history, one may argue. Two goals from Kroos and one each for Klose, Khedira and Mueller have put Germany in control. This Brazilian fan sums it up (vine below).



Stat: Brazil have conceded five goals for only the second time in the World Cup; the first was in 1938 v Poland.


GOAAAAAAAAAALLLL!! UNBELIEVABLE. 5-0 - 29 minutes


Khedira, Ozil, Kroos they're all in there. Ozil gets the ball inside the box on the left and pulls it back for Khedira and boom! 5-0.


GOAAAAALLLL!! 4-0 and KROOS again! 26 minutes


Brazil have caved in completely. This is quite astonishing. Kroos wins the ball from Fernandinho in midfield, enters the attacking third, passes it to Khedira. Khedira passes it back to Kroos and he's finished it. 4-0.


GOAAAALLLLL!! Kroos makes it 3-0 from outside the box - 24 minutes


What is happening? Kroos is played in and he takes a first-time shot from outside the box and it's a rocket which beats Cesar to his right. 3-0. Is this over?


GOAAAAAAAALLLL! Klose breaks World Cup goals record - 23 minutes


Germany are all over Brazil and a pass from the right comes straight to Kroos who dodges a man and finds Klose with a clever pass -- Mueller and Klose exchange a quick pass and Klose shoots from eight yards out -- it's saved, it comes back to Klose and he's fired in his 16th goal in World Cup history -- eclipsing the great Ronaldo.


Fantastic tackle from Lahm - 17 minutes


Marcelo bombs forward again and finds himself in the box coming in from the left channel. He's about to cross or shoot but Lahm executes probably as good a sliding tackle as you will see to put the ball out for a corner. Marcelo wants a penalty, doesn't get it and is shoved by Boateng who doesn't like his opponent appealing. A short scuffle breaks out but is quickly doused by Muller and Neuer.


GOALLLLLLLL!!! Mueller puts Germany up from corner - 11 minutes


Toni Kroos curls it in and away from goal from the right and tell you what, Thomas Mueller is standing unmarked and simply side-foots it through Cesar's legs and into the net. That's his 10th World Cup goal.


And Germany have their first chance! 8 minutes


Wow Germany suddenly launch an attack with a long ball to Mesut Ozil who is inside the box on the left, takes his time and fires it towards Khedira, his volley is on target but hits Kroos -- shouts for a handball turned down.


Marcelo gets off first shot of the game - 3 minutes


Germany haven't settled at all, but it's still very early in the game. Marcelo finds space as he collects a loose clearance and smacks it towards goal but it's wide of the far post.


And it's kick-off!!


David Luiz and Julio Cesar held a Neymar jersey between themselves during the national anthem... it must be quite a task for Germany to spoil this Brazilian party — but if there is one team that can spoil it, it's them.





So, who is Bernard and what will Brazil's shape on the pitch be like?


21-year old Bernard's favoured position is left-wing but he likes to cut in like most modern wingers. He will most likely start out wide with Oscar through the center and Hulk on the other flank. It will be interesting to see how they switch, especially with Lahm — who is probably their best defender — playing at right back. Bernard has impressed in his time at Shakhtar, laying on seven goals and scoring three himself this season.


Compared to Willian, Bernard is more fleet-footed (Scolari said he has 'joy in his legs') but is physically less stronger than the Chelsea man. He is more raw, plays with a lot of flair but his unpredictability is where Scolari will hope to cash in against Germany.


Brazil XI: Cesar; Maicon, Dante, Luiz, Marcelo; Gustavo, Fernandinho; Hulk, Oscar, BERNARD, Fred.


Germany XI: Neuer; Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Hoewedes; Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Kroos; Ozil, Klose, Muller.



Stat: Germany have failed to progress in five World Cup semi-finals, more than any other nation.



Bernard or Willian?


If Brazil searches determined the replacement for injured star Neymar, Bernard would be 6x more likely to fill the void than Willian.


GoogleTrendBernard

GoogleTrendBernard



Let's win it for Neymar


"The way Neymar spoke to the players made them understand that he had done his share and now we need to do our share. Myself, the other players, all the Brazilian people. This match is very important, it could take us to the final. We are playing for our country, it is everything we imagined and dreamed of, and also for Neymar," Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said in the pre-match press conference. Click here to read the full report.


BRAvsGER-AFP

BRAvsGER-AFP




Likely lineups for Brazil vs Germany


http://ift.tt/1oFgN7y


Fans start gathering for Brazil-Germany semifinal


At a local bar long before noon, a German supporter danced along with Brazilians playing samba.


Tension will mount, no doubt, the kick off in Tuesday's World Cup semifinal match between five-time champion Brazil and three-time titlist Germany.


Oscar will need to rise to the occasion in the absence of Neymar. AP

Oscar will need to rise to the occasion in the absence of Neymar. AP



The host nation has spent billions of dollars preparing for the tournament, with expectations that home advantage could deliver Brazil a sixth title. But with Neymar out injured and Thiago Silva suspended for the semifinals, Brazilians are suddenly very nervous.


At the Mineirao Stadium, local people wore Neymar masks to honor the 22-year-old star. Streets were filling with fans walking with Brazilian jerseys and flags. Groups of Germany fans also could be seen around Belo Horizonte. (AP)


The key battles


Brazil are expected to take a defensive approach against Germany, who are probably expected to take control of the match especially with Neymar and Thiago Silva missing for the hosts. However, Dante and Willian/Bernard will come in for the two men Brazil are missing. Here are the key battles that could decide the semifinal:


Dante vs Mueller, Fred vs Hummels, Oscar vs Lahm and Hulk vs Hoewedes... click here to read the full detailed match-ups.


For Brazil to win, Hulk has to get angry!


It has to begin with this: Hulk has had more shots (13) than any other player to have failed to score in World Cup 2014. It the eyes of some, it might paint him in a not so very good light. But in the absence of Neymar, he is their best goal-scoring option and the man who will need to step up -- in other words, like his superhero namesake, he will need to get angry.


The origins of Hulk's nickname were somewhat muddled until recently -- some thought he got it while he was playing for Tokyo Verdy in the J League; others thought it was a result of that physique which would be more at home on the rugby field than in football.


Hulk has to be at the head of this revolution which begins at Belo Horizonte. To win matches, Brazil need to score goals. Fred hasn't looked like the man to do that -- it has to be Hulk. Oscar will give him support... click here to read the full feature


Germany has the team, but Brazil have the spirit


Germany may have the better squad, the stars, the backing of the pundits and of the purists. They may have form and tactical precision on their side. But sometimes, the best teams can get overwhelmed by the sheer tenacity of their opponents and the momentum generated by a nation united behind one cause and pushing their team over the highest hurdles.


Sport is not just defined by levels of athleticism and talent — sport is will, heart, determination and togetherness. Brazil will channel that spirit and hope it carries them all the way to a sixth World Cup.


Click here to read the full article.


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