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
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.