The Brazilian team must have thought before the game that God played on their side because for about 10 minutes in the first half they inexplicably watched as the typically accurate and organized German players put five goals in the back of their net. Even Ronaldo's scoring record was broken by seemingly immortal Miroslav Klose (16). By the end of ninety minutes, Germany had shocked Brazil at Belo Horizonte, 7-1. The scoreline broke a World Cup semifinal record for most goals scored by a side. Brazil's side collapsed after Thomas Müller's first goal with eleven minutes gone. That early score was not in the samba team's imagined script of the game; commentator's called them "mentally fragile" as "Selecao" played with almost schoolyard casualness on defense throughout the first half. The "beautiful game" finally turned ugly for Brazil, ending a competitive home winning streak intact since 1975.
What this famous defeat will bring to the host nation is a period of self-examination about what futböl means to Brazil and what it should mean. As a developing nation, Brazil faces many real challenges now and in the future.
It's leaders spent over $14 billion on venues and preparations, a figure inflated by corruption and incompetence. That amount is equivalent to 61% of what Brazil budgeted for education and 30% for healthcare. The favelas (slums) are patrolled by security police prepared to persecute
FIFA protestors for "terrorism". Professional soccer is after all, only a corporate entertainment and God does not play.
