7 most memorable moments of World Cup semifinals

There is no prize for guessing the choice of seven as against our usual choice of 10 for the memorable moments in this round of the World Cup.

Yes, you are right. It’s about BRA7IL!

Beaten, battered, bruised Brazil

For convenience sake (read lazy), the seven goals Brazil conceded in this game should have been the seven most memorable moments of the semifinal. That will be taking it too far, you might say. But it won’t be a bad idea refreshing your memory though.

1-0

11min: Germany swing a corner into the centre and standing unmarked near the far post is Thomas Muller who simply taps home.

2-0

23min: A neat one-touch move is too hot to handle for Brazil’s defence, as Miroslav Klose sees a shot saved by Julio Cesar inside the box, before tapping home the rebound.

3-0

24min: Philip Lahm’s low pass across the 18-yard box evades Muller, but not Toni Kroos who blasts home a first-time strike into the bottom corner.

4-0

26min: Sami Khedira wins the ball in midfield before basically jogging into the Brazil box and squaring for Toni Kroos to score his second goal.

5-0

29min: Mesut Ozil strolls through the centre before laying the ball back for Sami Khedira to tuck into the bottom corner.

6-0

69min: Germany easily build a passing move on the right with Lahm and Ozil. It leads to a simple square pass for Andre Schurrle inside the box which the Chelsea star tucks home from close range.

7-0

79min: Andre Schurrle shows neat control to bring down a cross after charging into the box, before drilling high into Cesar’s near post top corner.

Oscar scores a consolatory goal, but by then Toni Kroos knew the man-of-the-match award was his.

Luiz horror showing

Based on this shambolic performance, you have to imagine that Paris Saint Germain would already be on their way to Stamford Bridge to get their £50m refund for David Luiz. But as it is, there are no refunds in the world of football.

Luiz is a dead-ball specialist and exceptional on the ball, but his inability to hold position makes him an absolute liability. His catalogue of rash decisions against Germany showed he still has a lot of work to do on his core duty on the pitch – defending.

Klose call

Miroslav Klose’s 23rd minute strike was his 16th goal in the World Cup to pass Brazilian legend Ronaldo and claim the scoring record outright. The Lazio forward did not celebrate the landmark achievement with his trademark somersault. Maybe he’s saving it for the D-Day. Klose is yet to win a World Cup. After adding semi-final heartache in 2006 and 2010 to defeat at the Euro 2002 final, Sunday’s final against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro may be his chance.

Khedira’s contribution

FIFA gave the MOTM to teammate Toni Kroos, but Sami Khedira’s role in this historic win couldn’t go unnoticed. Whether in the colours of Real Madrid or Germany, Khedira is always seen as the bridesmaid and never the bride. An ‘almost’ man you may call it. A wakapass player, using a Nollywood parlance. His performance in this game went against the norm. He was imperious and if Germany go on to win the trophy, Sami’s role must be recognised. And maybe for once, he’ll be seen as the bride!

Cry the beloved country

Cry, the Beloved Country is a novel by South African author Alan Paton, and this title is apt for the outpouring of tears and emotions during the annihilation of the Selecao in front of their fans. It flowed on the pitch as well as on the terraces.

Brazilians are beautiful people. Not a crying Brazilian, though!

The man with the World Cup trophy

There was a lot of crying Brazil fans as Germany continued to score goal after goal, but no fan made you feel sorrier for Brazil than the man with the World Cup trophy.

The look on the face of Clovis Fernandes summed up how every Brazil fan was feeling as Germany were cruising to a 7-1 victory. But the man FIFA calls Brazil’s “12th Man” knew his country would not be lifting the real trophy at the end of the tournament and so was happy to pass his trophy to a German lady who should have better use of it in Sunday’s final.

Snooze time

After being spoilt with goals in the first game, Holland and Argentina offered the fans little or nothing to cheer in one of the most boring games of this World Cup. The memorable moment was saved for the penalty shootout!

Holland go first. Vlaar to take. Saved! Holland 0-0 Argentina. Low and central, slightly to the keeper’s left.

Messi to take. Scores! Holland 0-1 Argentina. Shapes it down the left with a left-foot curling shot.

Robben. Scores! Holland 1-1 Argentina. Rolls it to the right.

Garay to take. Scores! Holland 1-2 Argentina. Whacked high and straight.

Sneijder. Saved! Holland 1-2 Argentina. Nice height to the keeper’s right; pushed away.

Aguero to take. Scores! Holland 1-3 Argentina. Low and under the keeper’s dive to his right.

Kuyt to take. Scores! Holland 2-3 Argentina. Rolled it right.

Maxi Rodriguez to win it. Scores! Argentina are in the World Cup final, winning 4-2 on penalties.