Brazil’s World Cup dream shattered against Germany

Brazil players sink to their knees after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Germany won the match 7-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Brazil players sink to their knees after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Germany won the match 7-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

By Associated Press July 8, 2014 2 min read

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) – It was a humiliating home defeat of record proportions that no Brazilian could have seen coming.

With its defense collapsing early and nobody able to spark the attack, Brazil conceded four goals in a seven-minute span, trailed 5-0 at half time and was routed 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday.

“We got lost a little bit there,” Brazil’s stand-in captain David Luiz said. Germany “realized the game was there for the taking and scored the goals. It’s very difficult to explain right now. The dream is over, in a way that the people didn’t want.”

Without suspended captain Thiago Silva and injured star striker Neymar, the Brazilian team appeared rudderless.

Fans were in shock, some leaving way before the final whistle.