7 Explanations for Brazil’s Catastrophic World Cup Semi-Final Defeat to Germany
“Did that just happen?” “How did that happen?” “Why did that happen?” Those were the questions I kept hearing during, after and also way after Brazil’s brain-spinning 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-final of the World Cup they are hosting. At the time, I had no answer, because when my brain spins I find it hard to talk. Also, every time I started a sentence, Germany scored again, and then the spinning started again. No wonder all those children kept crying.
A few hours later, I’ve had time to watch and think and maybe take a stab at answering those questions. So here are seven possible reasons that at least partially explain a result that we’ll all be telling our grandchildren about. Unless our name is Fred.
1. Germany’s set pieces
Germany only scored one goal from a set piece. But it was the first goal, so it’s important. And I’m here to make the case that Germany has the best set piece routines at this World Cup. Some are so good, you need to watch the slo-mo replay to see what’s going on. Exhibit A is Thomas Mueller’s 10th minute goal, which he volleyed past Julio Cesar directly from a corner kick. While it appears that Brazil defender David Luiz fails to concentrate and stay with Mueller’s run, Luiz is actually the victim of a viciously efficient basketball-style pick play, with big Miroslav Klose stepping into Luiz’ path as Mueller darts away, ensuring Germany’s #13 has all the time and space he could ever need.
2. Big Phil got it wrong
Brazil’s coach Felipe Scolari had a choice: In Neymar’s absence, do I go Neymar-lite, or do I double down on defensive midfielders to try and combat Germany’s magnificent midfield trio of Sami Khedra, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos? In selecting Bernard, he went Neymar-lite, and left his two defensive midfielders to be over-run, run over and eventually run out of town by the relentless German midfield.