Global reaction to Germany's record-breaking 7-1 rout of Brazil in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ semi-finals on Tuesday has been widespread. Here are some of the comments from the football world pubished by fifa.com.
It will be difficult to recover. Some players I don't think will be back to wear the Brazilian shirt. It is wrong now to criticise the players. On the field, Germany taught us how to play football. We have to learn from that.
Former Brazil midfielder Juninho Paulista
What was that? Hard to believe.
Former West Germany captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer
In nigh-on half a century of watching football, that's the most extraordinary, staggering, bewildering game I've ever witnessed.
Former England striker Gary Lineker (Twitter)
Seven-one is not a normal result between two world footballing powers. But football can be like that. Sometimes things happen that you don't expect, and that is why it is beautiful.
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella
It's a humiliating, terrible defeat. I'm holding back because we're suffering with them. Their World Cup is spoilt.
Former France left-back Bixente Lizarazu (Twitter)
Master class from Germany. Clinical, organised, hard-working, unselfish and humble. Very proud of the team. One to go.
Former Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann (Twitter)
I would worry that the Brazilian players might never recover from this. Some might not be able to come back from this.
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand
A result that leaves us all surprised. Difficult, this moment, for the players and the people of Brazil. The important thing now (is) that peace reigns.
Colombia and Monaco striker Radamel Falcao (Twitter)
I know a lot of people thought Germany, but did anyone think it would be like this? Another reason why this has been the best World Cup in history!
Former USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel (Twitter)
Hats off to (Germany striker) Miroslav Klose! With 16 FIFA World Cup goals, he is the most prolific scorer in the tournament's history.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter (Twitter)
After losing the semi-final to Italy in 2006, we know how Brazil, the players, Mr. Scolari and the fans feel, so we have to be modest and humble and take the next step. The emotions are great. We won, we’ve made it to the final. We coped with the passion of the Brazilians and we knew that if we played to our capabilities we thought we would win – but we couldn’t have expected this result. We took our chances well and they strained under the pressure caused by conceding. Both Argentina and the Netherlands have huge qualities and it will be a difficult match. For Miroslav Klose to break the record of scoring the most goals at the World Cup, it means a lot to us. It’s great for him and for the team. If you’ve scored the most goals in the history of the World Cup, you’ve had to earn it. He’s still playing at the highest level and scoring goals.
Joachim Low, Germany coach
It was an impressive performance. It’s the best team performance for Germany I’ve been involved in. We started believing from the first minute as we thought that Brazil were a little bit hesitant in their decision-making and we took advantage of that. After we scored the first, the goals kept coming. Had someone had said we’d have won 7-1 I wouldn’t have believed them, but I thought we were outstanding, that’s all I can say. We’re here to become world champions, we’re happy and relieved to go through – but there’s still one game to go. No-one has won the World Cup in a semi-final.
Toni Kroos, Germany midfielder and Budweiser Man of the Match
It’s the worst moment of my football career and the worst day of my football life. But life goes on. Who is responsible for this result? I am, it’s me. The blame for this catastrophic result can be shared between us all, but the person who decided the line-up, the tactics was me. It was my choice. We tried to do what we could, we did our best – but we came up against a great German team. We couldn’t react to going behind. We got disorganised and panicked after the first goal and then it all went wrong for us. Not even the Germans can tell you how this happened – but it’s because of their skills and you have to respect that. We have to learn to deal with it. My message for the Brazilian people is this. Please excuse us for this performance. I’m sorry that we weren’t able to get to the final – and we’re going to try to win the third place match. We still have something to play for.
Luiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil coach
