On Tuesday July 8, 2014, exactly one year ago, Brazil suffered its largest defeat since 1920, and it came in a World Cup semifinal on home soil.
Germany humiliated Brazil 7-1 in front of its own fans in Belo Horizonte, a game that will forever haunt the country.
The Seleção did not have Neymar or Thiago Silva in this match, and those absences clearly affected an already mentally weak team.
The Brazilian squad held Neymar’s No. 10 shirt as they sung the national anthem. It was a sign that Brazil was reeling after the injury to the Barcelona forward.
Once the game started, the fans rallied behind their team despite Germany being the favourite. For 11 or so minutes, the hosts managed to weather the storm.
That was until Thomas Muller delivered the first of many blows.
Twelve minutes passed before Miroslav Klose became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
Germany scored three goals shortly thereafter to take a 5-0 lead in the 29th minute, and the supporters were mortified.
Andre Schurrle scored twice more in the second half before Oscar added a late consolation.
Brazil fans jeered their own players and applauded the Germans at the full-time whistle. Silva consoled his mortified teammates as they sobbed uncontrollably on his shoulder. Several other players fell to their knees and prayed to the skies, with a few others lying on the ground in shame. They could not believe what just transpired.
Many optimistic fans thought that this embarrassment on home soil would spark significant change within the Brazilian confederation, but they’ve made little effort on that front.
An uninspired Brazil was dumped out of the Copa America quarterfinals by Paraguay on penalties last month. Just like the World Cup semifinals, Neymar wasn’t available, but not because of injury. The star forward was banned after his altercation against Colombia in the group stage.
National team legend Cafu has even admitted that the fear of playing Brazil is gone. It was evident at Copa America against Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Paraguay.
Now the CBF has summoned former Brazil managers to help fix and restructure the game in the country, both domestically and the national team.
Defender Dani Alves has since revealed that his former manager Pep Guardiola was extremely interested in coaching the national team, but the confederation opted for Luiz Felipe Scolari instead.
https://twitter.com/danielnyari/status/618493977101250560
Now Scolari, once a revered World Cup-winning manager in 2002, will be remembered for the Mineirazo in 2014 forever. Just like Brazil goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa with the Marcanazo of 1950.