IT was the most remarkable result in football history.
Brazil, hosts of the 2014 World Cup and the side which has won the competition more than any other country, tonight crashed to a 1-7 defeat in the semi-final at the hands of Germany.
The Germans, seeking their first World Cup triumph since 1990, were an incredible 5-0 up at half-time and rubbed salt in the Brazilians' wounds by adding two more goals in the second half.
Next they will meet Argentina or Holland in the final.
As for Brazil - a nation of football fanatics mourns.
Tears flowed like water in the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte as before even half-an-hour had gone, Brazil were 5-0 down.
The inal scoreline eclipsed their worst-ever defeat, 6-0 to Uruguay back in 1920 before the World Cup had even begun.
Two goals for Toni Kroos and Andre Schurrle, plus one each for Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira, and record-breaking 16th World Cup goal for Miroslav Klose saw the visitors delirious, while Brazil begins a period of soul-searching such as never before.
The pain was so intense for Brazil, who had arrived at the Estadio Mineirao intent on honouring their missing talisman, Neymar.
They tried to use his absence as an inspiration, parading slowly onto the field linked in crocodile formation, with stand-in captain David Luiz and goalkeeper Julio Cesar clutching Neymar's shirt as they belted out the national anthem.
That all went very well.
It was only when the game started that the occasion was spoiled for the hosts.
Former Brazil international and Middlesbrough star Juninho admitted he was shocked by his country's display.
"I'm in shock. It is unbelievable," he said.
"The back four was not closing down, they (Germany) were moving and passing it so easily and it is difficult to understand the attitude (of Brazil's players).
"It will be difficult to recover and some of them I don't think will be back to wear the Brazilian shirt.
"Germany taught us how to play football and we have to learn from that.
"Germany played like we like to play. We need to sit back and see what's happened with Brazilian football - is something wrong?"
And in a veiled criticism of Brazil's performances and tactics in this World Cup Juninho added: "But I am happy because football won."
