Germany are through to the World Cup final after beating hosts Brazil 7-1 in one of the most extraordinary matches in the tournament’s history.
After conceding early on, Brazil proceeded to leak four goals in six minutes before the halftime whistle.
The Germans scored twice more in the second half before Brazil clawed back a last-gasp consolation.
Germany eventually won by the biggest margin in World Cup semifinal history.
It took Germany only 11 minutes to break the deadlock, with a corner from Mesut Özil volleyed home by a free Thomas Müller at the back post.
The Brazilian defence was in disarray, and much worse was to follow.
The hosts initially responded patiently to going behind, but struggled to convert their possession into any goalscoring chances.
They were made to pay a heavy price by a brilliant German move midway through the first half, with Miroslav Klose tapping in a rebound after a string of swift, incisive passes, ensuring he became the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer.
Within seconds of Klose’s goal, Toni Kroos had fired Germany three ahead, with a loose ball rifled beyond goalkeeper Júlio César from the edge of the penalty area.
A fourth came within another minute of play, after a silly midfield giveaway from Fernandinho allowed Kroos to play a simple one-two with Sami Khedira before slotting into an empty net.
On the half-hour, Germany had added a fifth, with Khedira getting himself on the scoresheet on the back of a tidy interchange with Özil.
At halftime, the Brazilians left the field on the verge of tears, their fans unable to show such restraint.
A chorus of boos rang around the Estádio Mineirão as the players trudged into their dressing rooms.
Brazil’s coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, responded with a couple of substitutions, as the Seleção set about salvaging any pride they could.
They started the second half surprisingly well, and should have pulled one back within six minutes of the restart.
Substitute Ramires found Oscar free in the penalty area, though the midfielder was denied by a point-blank save from Neuer.
The German goalkeeper made an even better double-stop moments later, with Paulinho twice testing him from inside the box.
But as in the first half, Brazil quickly faded and allowed Germany to take control.
They were twice thwarted by saves from César before André Schürrle slotted Philipp Lahm’s pass home for 6-0.
Ten minutes later, he’d completed his brace and scored Die Mannschaft’s seventh, with a marvelous effort that cracked off the underside of the crossbar before hitting the back of the net.
Özil should have added an eighth in the final minute of normal time, though he fired wide when one-on-one with César.
Brazil responded by finally producing a consolation, with Oscar finally beating Neuer from close-range.
By the final whistle, the Brazilian fans had begun cheering every German pass.
Coach Scolari now has the unenviable task of lifting his players for the third-place playoff, while Germany will head into Sunday’s final with confidence as high as ever.
