Germany reached their eighth World Cup Final by thrashing the hosts 7-1 in Belo Horizonte.  The bulk of the damage was done in a six minute spell in the first half, when Germany scored four goals.

Germany were head and shoulders above the Brazilians in every area and in truth the score could have been much worse, such was the gulf in class.  

Brazil started on the front foot but they were leaving huge gaps at the back and they got a warning after eight minutes when Sami Khedira broke through the midfield before releasing Thomas Muller on the right. His cross found Mesut Ozil who laid it off for Khedira, but his shot hit Toni Kroos and the chance was gone.  

Three minutes later and Germany were ahead. The Brazil defence went AWOL at a corner and Muller was able to waltz to the edge of the six yard box unmarked and side foot past Julio Cesar.  

Brazil continued pushing forward, which was leaving huge gaps, and after twenty-three minutes Germany doubled their lead. Kroos played a fine pass into Muller and he laid it off for Miroslav Klose. He saw his first shot saved, but was able to slot the rebound past Julio Cesar to score his sixteenth World Cup goal, surpassing Ronaldo of Brazil's fifteen goals, which was the previous record.

That goal sparked off a disastrous period for Brazil and just a minute later it was 3-0.  Ozil released Philipp Lahm down the right and he put a low cross into the box, which Muller mishit. Kroos, however, caught it perfectly at the edge of the box and despite getting a hand on it Cesar was unable to keep it out.

In the twenty-sixth minute Germany scored again. Fernandinho was caught in possession and Kroos played a one two with Khedira which completely split open the Brazilian rearguard and left Kroos with a simple tap in.

Three minutes later and the Germans got their fifth, when Khedira and Ozil played a one two which Khedira finished with a low drive into the bottom corner.  

Germany could have had a sixth before half time when Kroos connected with a pass from Lahm but Fernandinho was able to block.  

The half time whistle was unsurprisingly met with a chorus of boos from the home fans who were left stunned by the standard their heroes had shown throughout the opening forty-five minutes.

Brazil brought Ramires and Paulinho on at half time and they were both involved as Brazil started the second half well.  Ramires set up Oscar who tried a shot with the outside of his foot but it was straight at Manuel Neuer. Seconds later, Paulinho got behind the German defence but he also shot straight at Neuer before forcing the German into a fine save with a powerful strike from the rebound.  

Germany withstood the pressure from the hosts and could have got their sixth when Muller's curling left footed effort looked destined for the top corner but Cesar got his fingers to it and tipped it over the bar.

The Germans did eventually get their sixth goal after sixty-nine minutes when Khedira and Lahm linked up on the right. Lahm squared to Andre Schurrle who was now on for the record breaking Klose, and the Chelsea man fired into the empty goal.

Germany weren't finished yet and got their seventh after seventy-nine minutes.  Muller played the ball into Schurrle who blasted a shot in off the cross bar at the near post - a wonderful strike.

It could have been eight in the dying minutes when Ozil was put through one on one with Cesar, but he put his shot wide.

Seconds later, Brazil got their consolation goal. Marcelo released Oscar down the left who cut inside past Jerome Boateng before blasting past Neuer. The goal was met with sarcastic cheers from the few home fans still in the stadium and seconds later the referee blew the whistle to put an end to Brazil's darkest day in over half a century.

Germany will now face the winners of tomorrow night's semi-final between Argentina and Holland in Sunday's final. Low's side has looked much more balanced since moving Lahm back to fullback and bringing in Klose to lead the line. Germany have beat Holland (1974) and Argentina (1990) in World Cup Finals before and will feel confident regardless who they face, and rightfully so after this performance.  

Meanwhile, Brazil are now in a position of crisis. Scolari will surely face the axe and many of the players involved tonight may face the same fate. Brazilian fans still talk about losing to Uruguay in the final match of the 1950 World Cup on home soil and you can be sure that this defeat will be talked about for generations.  

The inquest into Brazil's World Cup will go on for weeks but tonight is Germany's night and they are now just one game away from a fourth World Cup win. Based on tonight's performance, there won't be many backing against them doing just that.  

BRAZIL - Julio Cesar; Maicon, David Luiz, Dante , Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho (Paulinho 46); Hulk (Ramires 46), Oscar, Bernard; Fred (Willian 70).
Booked - Dante.

GERMANY - Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels (Mertesacker 46), Howedes; Khedira (Draxler 76), Schweinsteiger; Muller, Kroos, Ozil; Klose (Schurrle 58).

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About the author
Gerry Johnston
Cover Spanish and Italian football for VAVEL UK.