Brazil Vs Germany – Estadio Mineirao Belo Horizonte @11.00pm
Brazil and Germany face off in the first semi-final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Mineirao Belo Horizonte in what is a repeat of the 2002 World Cup final.
The Selecao stormed the last four after beating Colombia 2-1 in the quarterfinals whilst Germany overcame France’s Les Blues 1-0 thanks to Matt Hummels’ lone headed goal.
Luis Felipe Scolari’s charges come into the fixture for the first time in the campaign as underdogs after suspension to skipper Thiago Silva and an injury that rules out team top scorer Neymar Santos.
Scolari is most likely to hand Bayern Munchen defender Dante Bonfiim his first start and game of the finals as Silva’s replacement whilst Willian may replace injured Neymar an implication that Chelsea midfielder Oscar may be employed as the number 10.
Besides, no changes are expected to be made by Scolari from the side that played Colombia.
On the other hand, Germany have no injury worries ahead of the tie but coach Joachim Low must decide on whether to recall Arsenal defender Per Mertasacker to the starting lineup after sitting out in the win over France.
Low also has a big decision to make on whether to keep captain Phillip Lahm at right back or play him as a central midfielder like has been the case before the quarter finals.
The two nations’ last and only meeting at the World Cup was in 2002 finals which Brazil won 2-0 in the finals courtesy of a brace from Ronaldo Da Lima. Only Miroslav Klose from both is a survivor from that game.
WHAT STATISTICS SAY?
– Brazil has played 102 World Cup matches while Germany has played 104 games at the World Cup. No country has done better than the duo.
– Brazil have played in 10 semi-finals with the last coming in 2002 whilst Germany has featured in 12 semi-finals three of which have come in the previous three events.
– Both nations have however managed to win seven of those finals
– Brazil has won a record five (5) World Cup championships with the most previous coming 12 year ago albeit Germany have three (3) titles with the last coming in 1990.
– Brazil is currently ranked 3 in the Coca Cola FIFA Rankings while Germany is a place below in second.
The winner meets either Argentina or Holland in the finals slated for Sunday July 13 at Estadio de Maracana.
