World Cup 2014 – Scout Notes – Matchday 6, Day 1

Germany humiliate Brazil to reach the World Cup final in an unforgettable night of football. Toni Kroos and Andre Schurrle both bag braces, Thomas Muller gets amongst the goals again, while Miroslav Klose breaks the World Cup scoring record in an embarrassing one-sided rout for Joachim Low’s side:

Germany Run Riot
Fantasy managers who loaded up on Joachim Low’s side were richly rewarded as Germany hit the hosts for seven last night. Once again, Thomas Muller was in the points – the Bayern man rewarded his owners with a fifth goal of the tournament after firing Germany’s opener in the 7-1 annihilation. Having served up four goals and an assist in the three group games, the Bayern man’s returns had slowed down over the knockout stages – games against Nigeria and France had produced just a single assist before last night’s strike edged him one behind James Rodriguez in the race for the Golden Boot.

Miroslav Klose vindicated his manager’s decision to hand him a second successive start by prodding home the second, whilst in midfield, Toni Kroos, with a brace, and Sami Khedira, with a goal and assist, also plundered the points. Andre Schurrle’s two-goal salvo off the bench highlighted Germany’s strength in depth but he’d be a real punt for the final – yet to start a match in the tournament, a sub role still looks likely. Low named an unchanged side from the 1-0 win over France and, barring injuries or illness, it seems certain Germany will line up with the same XI on Sunday.

Hummels Knee Concern
Mats Hummels owners will be awaiting any further update after the centre-half was replaced at the break with a knee problem. With two goals and three clean sheets to his name already, the Dortmund centre-half earned significant interest prior to yesterday’s encounter and, speaking to German radio after the match, he went on to say:

“More problems with my knee. We will find out the exact diagnosis [on Wednesday]. There won’t be a horror diagnosis and there is hope that it works again in five days. I will definitely need intensive treatment. If I can’t train on Saturday I wouldn’t go and say I can play on Sunday.”

Elsewhere at the back, Philipp Lahm’s owners were also rewarded. Fielded at right-back once again, the Bayern man delivered a pair of assists, though a late consolation from Oscar proved a bitter blow for those banking on German clean sheet returns as Low’s side were denied a fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

Oscar Strike Scant Consolation Hosts
Devoid of star man Neymar and suspended skipper Thiago Silva, Brazil limped out of the tournament in a game that brutally exposed their limitations. A defence that had mustered just one clean sheet in their first five fixtures was plundered time and again – David Luiz earned major investment after producing two goals and an assist in his previous three appearances but he was arguably the most culpable in last night’s humiliation.

Up top, Oscar’s late goal took his tally to two strikes and a pair of assists for the tournament, though Fred once again failed to impress and his starting role is surely under question for Saturday’s third/fourth place play-off after being booed off the pitch by the home fans. While Neymar remains on the sidelines, Silva, at least, will be back for the weekend match – Phil Scolari reckons Brazil still have ”something to play for” but he has a real job on his hands to lift morale and inspire a face-saving performance as he looks to recover from one of the worst results in Brazil’s football history.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Brazil produced 46 recovered balls to Germany’s 34. David Luiz led the way with 11, fellow centre-half Dante and midfielder Luiz Gustavo both managed eight, whilst Marcelo produced five. Germany’s leading men were Philipp Lahm (seven), Benedikt Howedes (six), Jerome Boateng and Bastian Schweinsteiger (both five).