Forever to be known simply as ‘the 7-1’, there is no getting away from the fact that Brazil’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany will remain one of the most incredible games in football’s great history.
At the time, neither the Germans nor the watching world could believe what they were seeing on July 8, 2014 – not to mention the 200 million Brazilians who stood stunned at what became known as the Mineiraco.
The two teams reunite on Tuesday on the Brasil Global Tour, in what will be their first meeting since that night in Belo Horizonte. This time, however, they meet in very different circumstances, with both nations out to fine tune their sides ahead of this year’s World Cup in Russia.
And, strikingly, there has been zero gloating from the locals in Berlin ahead of what promises to be a standout match of this month’s international football. Speaking to German fans on the street this week has instead revealed a reverence for the Selecao.
“What happened in the 2014 World Cup was totally out of the ordinary,” said student Hebert Weber.
“While Germany was the favourite for the World Cup, just as they still are today, Brazil have never had a national team that conceded seven goals. The first three really shook the Brazilian team that day, who, in my view, knew the game was up after that.
“I’m really looking forward to Tuesday’s match because, no matter how much they deny it, Brazil will be desperate to make up for it.”
Another local, Adler Schwarz, remembers the 7-1 very fondly, but he too believes that it is something we will never see again.
“Becoming world champions while beating Brazil 7-1 was a very special feeling that I will carry with me forever,” he said.
“Nothing will ever do anything like that again, not even Germany itself, which still has a strong national team but new coach [Tite] has brought back the real Brazil, who win matches playing exciting and attacking football.”
Professor Eva Schulze, meanwhile, recalled what she referred to as the happiest day of her life watching football, and is now dreaming of a repeat of the same shoreline on Tuesday.
“The 7-1 win over Brazil still feels like a dream, from which it seems like I have still not woken,” she said.
“I remember in detail my reaction to every single goal – it was certainly the happiest day of my life watching football. We are still a very qualified team, especially with the emergence of new, young players. Fortunately, Germany have maintained the high level they reached in 2014.”
Berlin taxi driver Fritz Klein admitted he celebrated wildly that night, but conceded he lamented the fact that Brazil did not respond to their early setback. As a lover of the beautiful game, he says he would have preferred a more tightly contested encounter.
“I always had a lot of respect for Brazil, and I will continue to do so,” he said.
“But I remember seeing a very determined Germany and, on the other side, a lost Brazil. I admit that I would like to have seen a better prepared and reactive Brazil.”
Last year when the Brasil Global Tour headed to Melbourne, Brazil international Rafinha, who plays for Bayern Munich and has been in Germany, stressed the Germans’ respect for Brazil and especially the team’s recovery after the 2014 World Cup.
“Everyone knows that Brazil look very different now, that we have restored the joy, are playing good football and are now a favourite. Players at Bayern and all over the world know that Brazil are back.”
On Sunday, Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan told a press conference that the 7-1 was now in the past and said that the Brazil are now at the same level as Die Mannschaft.
“The current Brazilian team is not comparable to that of 2014. The 7-1 is no longer an issue for us – just having the two sides play against each other is special,” he said.
“Brazil are definitely one of the favourites for the World Cup. The Brazilians are very emotional, and they hold football in such a high regard, it gives them such a zest for life and has an almost spiritual meaning for them.”
