After one of the most remarkable stretches in World Cup history, the five-time champions, pre-tournament favorites, and host nation Brazil were five goals down, with their halftime reprieve still 16 minutes away. Here’s a look back at the 19 minutes of carnage that have seen Germany on the bring of the final:
11' - A counterattack after a Marcelo turnover is defused, forcing Germany to settle for a corner kick. But “settle” becomes “capitalize” when a crowd gathers at the near post, allowing Thömas Müller to pull away before Toni Kroos’s corner. Before David Luiz can get out to him, Müller volleys home his 10th career World Cup goal, giving Germany an early 1-0 lead.
23' - The record is Klose’s. After Fernandinho gambles to try to intercept a pass from the right, the Brazilian defense is left in cinder blocks as Kroos finds Müller in the penalty box. While Marcelo tries to recover, Müller touches it to Miroslav Klose, allowing the record-setter to-be to test Júlio César. Although the keeper’s initially up to the challenge, the ensuing rebound gives the 36-year-old an open lane inside the right post. It’s 2-0.
24' - Brazil is shellshocked, explaining why Philipp Lahm’s been allowed to play a cross in from the right, a ball that makes its way to Kroos at the edge of the penalty area. One-timing a left-footed shot for the far post, Kroos executes one of the most clinical finishes of the tournament, something that’s overshadowed by the lopsided story on the scoreboard. Germany is up, 3-0.
26' - Now Germany’s just playing with Brazil. Surging forward in midfield after the ensuing kickoff, Kroos intercepts a ball before it reaches an unsuspecting Fernandinho, sending the Germans streaking toward goal. Playing the ball to Sami Khedira before getting it back just inside the penalty area, Kroos slots an easy right-footed finish into the left of goal, taking the onslaught to historic proportions.
29' - The slaughter’s last salvo comes as a Brazil defense desperately missing Thiago Silva’s guidance collapses toward Mesut Özil, in possession 10 yards from the left post. A simple pass back and a casual finish sees Khedira get on the scoresheet, with a run through midfield from center back Mats Hummels starting another attack against a stunned Brazil. It’s 5-0.
Just before the half-hour mark, the drama was over in Belo Horizonte. Records had been set. Outcomes had been decided. It’s only the second time in tournament history that a team’s scored five goals in a semifinal, and Germany did in over a span of 19 minutes.
All that remained was a final, inglorious 45 minutes for the tournament’s hosts.
(GIFs via @flybyknite and @omnimeme.)