In 2014, Brazil hosted the World Cup on their own soil. They had their starting eleven and over 200 million people on their side. But remember this is international football: each country has its entire population with them.
So when Germany matched up to Brazil in the semi-finals, there were almost 300 million people ready to go to war for their respective side. And Brazil had theirs right there with them. All the passion was there to play for.
Within a half-hour, the oxygen had been sucked out of the entire country of Brazil and the scoreline sat 5-0. By this time, Brazil’s own Amazon river could be filled with tears. Hope lied 6,000 miles away in Germany.
Before the final whistle, the players themselves were crying. Germany ran rampant, netting seven before Brazil’s saving grace of the second whistle came upon the field.
As Brazil’s home victory hopes were doused in water, the flames of their passion were stoked. Germany themselves appetized their whole country for the sweet taste of victory that would eventually come as they became the winners of the 2014 World Cup.
The game would live in infamy as the day two countries, one silenced among its supports, and one victorious for its patriots fought through the wonderful game of football.
The game perfectly showcased the ability of the sport to allow both victory and defeat, mercy and ruthlessness, and the passion and alienation of a country’s entire people all in order to establish the scoreline “7-1” as an icon of international football, past and present.
Photo: FIFA
