Where does Brazil’s crushing defeat rank in all-time World Cup shocks?

By Joe Prince-WrightJul 8, 2014, 8:32 PM EDT

Brazil 1-7 Germany.

Let that result sink in for a moment. Yeah, Brazil 1-7 Germany. In a World Cup semifinal. In front of the home fans in the host nation Brazil.

Okay, have you grasped the monumental nature of this yet?

[ VIDEO: Watch all seven goals for Germany ]

[ VIDEO: Klose breaks WC scoring record ]

It’s quite difficult to put this display from Germany into context. It is quite simply one of the most incredible results in World Cup history and a game that is destined for the history books as five-time world champions Brazil suffered their worst-ever defeat.

To try and put this result in its rightful place among the World Cups most shocking defeats, lets take a look back at these moments from years gone by to see where it should rank.

Germany beats Brazil 7-1 | How Brazil fell apart | Scolari takes blame | Luiz apologizes

Use the comments section below to discuss where Germany’s incredible win should slot in. Right now it seems like, and probably is given the enormity and importance of the match, the most shocking result in World Cup history.

USA 1 England 0, 1950

This is by far the most humiliating defeat in England’s World Cup history. The English were the favorites to win the entire tournament but found themselves 1-0 down in the 37th minute and they never recovered. Joe Gaetjens scored the game-winner for the U.S. and English soccer fans have had to live with this shock ever since.

North Korea 1 Italy 0, 1966

Going into this match it was a case of how many would Italy win by. At the end, it was a case of hanging their heads in shame as the Italians were beaten by Asian minnows North Korea. Pak Doo Ik scored the winner and the Italians were in shock.

Scotland 3 Holland 2, 1978

The Dutch made it to the World Cup final but lost to hosts Argentina. There’s no shame in that. However with the likes of Johan Neeskens in their prime and ‘total football’ in its pomp, there was certainly some shame in losing to Scotland. Archie Gemmill’s famous goal spurred the Scots on to win an epic clash 3-2 after everyone expected the Dutch to wipe the floor with their opponents.

Cameroon 1 Argentina 0, 1990

In just their second World Cup tournament Cameroon stunned the reigning champions Argentina in the opening match of Italia ’90. Reduced to nine-men after two red cards, the African nation looked doomed but Omam-Biyik headed home the winner as the “Indomitable Lions” made it all the way to the quarterfinals.

Republic of Ireland 1 Italy 0, 1994

Jack Charlton’s Ireland weren’t pretty to watch. Not at all. In Giants stadium the Irish stunned the runners up from 1990, Italy, as Ray Houghton’s looping effort gave the Republic of Ireland and unlikely win that they rode to reach the last 16. Somehow Ireland managed to keep Roberto Baggio and co. off the scoresheet as they produce a stunning win.

Spain 1 Netherlands 5, 2014

The depending champions were humbled in their opening group game. Humiliated, in fact. In a replay of the 2010 final, the Dutch used up all their pent up anger over the last four years to rip Spain apart. Robin can Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice and Iker Casillas and Spain’s defense had a nightmare. They never recovered and crashed out at the group stage. Huge shock.

France 0 Senegal 1, 2002

It is hard to forget this one. France’s swaggering stars waltzed into Seoul for the opening game of the 2002 World Cup as the reigning champions… they then skulked out of the stadium with their tails between their legs as Senegal shocked the world. The reining World and European champions lost out after Papa Bouba Diop’s strike (cue the awesome dance around the corner flag celebrations) and they defended bravely to keep the French at bay. Incredible stuff.

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Brazil tests Willian up front with Neymar and Jesus

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Associated PressMay 24, 2018, 10:40 PM EDT

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TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) Brazil’s second pre-World Cup training featured Willian in the attack with Neymar and Gabriel Jesus on Thursday, a hint that coach Tite might change his starting lineup.

Willian played with the two star strikers for about one hour in the first training with footballs at the Granja Comary ground in Teresopolis, outside Rio de Janeiro.

[ MORE: Commisso “hopeful” of $500m USSF deal ]

Tite did not use his starting midfield to play with the trio. He also used defenders Marquinhos and Miranda during the entire hour, suggesting former captain Thiago Silva will be on the bench for the moment.

If Willian is brought on to the team, Tite could remove midfielder Renato Augusto from the starting lineup, put Philippe Coutinho in his place, and open a gap for Willian.

Since last year, Tite has said he needs a “pacemaker,” and considers Coutinho one of his main options for the role.

Beijing Guoan’s Augusto is under pressure after unconvincing performances in Brazil’s midfield.

Augusto’s spot is also eyed by Fred, one of the surprises of Tite’s squad.

The midfielder said he admired Brazil players who began a World Cup on the bench and later became starters, such as Mazinho (1994) and Kleberson (2002).

“We can get inspiration from them, these players worked very hard to get their spot,” Fred said. “But if I have to be out I will keep working hard.”

Fred also said he was torn between a transfer to Manchester United or Manchester City.

Fred said he had an offer from City in January, and both were now talking to his Shakhtar Donetsk club about a transfer.

“Maybe after the World Cup I will make the choice,” the midfielder said. “Now I am only thinking about the World Cup.”

Fred said he believes his future is outside Ukraine, and doing well in the English Premier League like other Brazilians such as Chelsea’s Willian.

Tite is counting on only 18 of the 23 players in his squad at training in Teresopolis.

Winger Douglas Costa and Fagner are still recovering from injury.

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Real Madrid’s Casemiro and Marcelo will only join on Monday after the Champions League final.

Training on Thursday was attended by four-time World Cup winner Mario Zagallo.

Liverpool owner Henry reflects on history, takes shots at Suarez, Coutinho

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By Nicholas MendolaMay 24, 2018, 9:57 PM EDT

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Terrific AP reporter Rob Harris sat down for a chat with Liverpool owner John Henry, and the American businessman didn’t hesitate to unleash some prime quotes.

Liverpool, of course, is preparing for the weekend’s UEFA Champions League Final against Real Madrid, and feeling its oats a bit.

[ MORE: Ronaldinho marrying 2 women ]

Henry is no exception, saying of departed Reds stars Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, “They’ll be watching this weekend and could have been playing.”

And his shots didn’t stop with the Barcelona stars. He extended it to all of La Liga. From the AP:

“You don’t want to be in the position where players want to go somewhere else, even if it is a great club like Barcelona,” Henry said. “It’s hard to understand why players would want to go to a league where the competition is so weak. They must play 30 or so meaningless matches per year waiting for Champions League matches.”

Henry also talks about his takeover, selling Fernando Torres, and how Anfield pushes Liverpool past the competition. Read the whole interview here.

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Ronaldinho reportedly marrying two women at same time

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By Nicholas MendolaMay 24, 2018, 9:01 PM EDT

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Ronaldinho always had a knack for making the difficult look simple.

He’d better hope that skill extends to a pretty unique marital arrangement.

The retired 2002 World Cup champion is going to marry two women at the same time, Priscilla Coelho and Beatriz Souza, in August.

[ MORE: Commisso “hopeful” of $500m USSF deal ]

Apparently he’s been living with the pair since December, having dated Coelho since 2013 and Souza beginning in 2016.

Ronaldinho, 38, co-existed in a three-pronged offense with Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o, so maybe?

From Yahoo! Sports:

Bigamy and polygamy are illegal in Brazil, but Ronaldinho’s case is a little different. He’s not planning to marry one woman, and then the other; he’s planning to marry both at the same time. That’s considered a three-person civil union, and they do exist in Brazil. The first one, between two women and a man, was recognized in 2012. Another was recognized in 2015, between three women who intended to raise a child together.

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After saving German club, Green hopes to revive USMNT career

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Associated PressMay 24, 2018, 7:50 PM EDT

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) Julian Green has been the Halley’s Comet of the U.S. national team. He appeared out of nowhere for the 2014 World Cup, scored against Belgium and then pretty much disappeared.

After scoring the goal that saved a German club from relegation to the third division, he’s back with a young American group that has no World Cup to prepare for. And he’s still only 22.

[ MORE: Commisso “hopeful” of $500m USSF deal ]

“It made me much stronger. I’m a different person now. I’m a better player now,” he said Thursday ahead of next week’s exhibition against Bolivia.

Born in Tampa, Florida, Green was 2 when he moved to Germany with his older brother Justin and his German-born mother.

A member of Bayern Munich’s youth system, he was not part of the U.S. pool that qualified for the 2014 World Cup. The winger played for Germany in three qualifiers for the 2014 European Under-19 Championship, then switched to the Americans at the behest of U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

He was a surprise pick on the U.S. roster four years ago this week, seemingly to displace Landon Donovan. At 19 the third-youngest player in the World Cup, Green scored in the Americans’ extra-time loss in the round of 16, two minutes after entering. He left Brazil on the list of potential breakout players for the next four-year cycle.

That potential has not yet been fulfilled.

While he played in exhibitions later that year against the Czech Republic and Colombia, his career stalled for club and country. Green was bypassed for the 2015 and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cups and the 2016 Copa America. His only U.S. appearances were in three friendlies in 2016.

[ MORE: Next USMNT-Mexico date set ]

After Bruce Arena replaced Klinsmann that fall, Green was never brought back. Until now.

“I’m curious just to hear his side of things and see where he’s at,” said interim coach Dave Sarachan, who took over after the U.S. was eliminated with last October’s loss to Trinidad and Tobago.

Green joined Bayern at age 14 and made his first-team debut on Nov. 27, 2013, late in a Champions League match against CSKA Moscow. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said he expected to keep Green for 2014-15, then reversed course and loaned him to Hamburg. Green made it into just five Bundesliga games that season,

“The coach that wanted me, he gets fired after one week,” Green said. “That was a hard time.”

Green returned to Bayern for 2016-17, and his playing time under coach Carlo Ancelotti was limited to a pair of German Cup matches. He transferred to second-tier Stuttgart in January, had one goal in 10 league games, then was loaned to second-division Greuther Fuerth for 2017-18.

His played regularly, and his career started to revive. On May 13 he scored on a right-footed shot from about 23 yards in a 1-1 draw against Heidenheim, preventing Greuther Fuerth from getting demoted to Germany’s third tier.

“One of the best seasons for me personally,” he said.

He understands why he couldn’t get playing time at Bayern, one of the world’s top clubs.

“At each position there were like three top stars,” he said.

Green started to play a more central role this season, one that could have more of an impact on his team.

“Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, they always told me my best position is in the middle,” Green said. “The first games at Fuerth I started out wide, and then the last games I started in the middle. And for me personally, I think in the middle is a better position.”

Green’s contract with Stuttgart runs through 2018-19, and he’s not sure which club he’ll be with next season. He knows he can’t afford to disappear from the thoughts of coaches on both sides of the Atlantic.

“To his credit, he’s only 22 years old and he’s back here, and he did it by playing his way back in,” U.S. assistant coach John Hackworth said.

If Green becomes a first-division regular, he could become part of the American nucleus for the 2022 World Cup cycle, a roster led by Christian Pulisic that also could include midfielders Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, and defender Matt Miazga. Among that quartet, Green is the oldest. He has three goals in eight U.S. appearances and is the only player on this week’s roster with World Cup experience.

“I’d like to see his personality sort of emerge,” Sarachan said. “He’s a quiet kid.”

Green had a hard time believing the U.S. failed to qualify for next month’s World Cup. Given the time difference, he didn’t stay up to watch the match in Trinidad. He figured he’d find out happy news in the morning.

“I took a look at my phone: I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I thought it was a joke.”

Notes: The U.S. will play Mexico in an exhibition on Sept. 11 at Nashville, Tennessee, the second of what likely will be two home matches during the international fixture period.