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World Cup: Take a look at Germany's journey to the final
Take a look at Germany's journey to the World Cup final in Brazil. It takes years for a fine wine to mature and the Germany team that ripped Brazil apart 7-1 in an astonishing World Cup semi-final has become a rare vintage with coach Joachim Loew finally getting the blend right.
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On a day that rocked world football, Loew, in charge since 2006, managed to find the right mix of players, distilling what no doubt is the finest Germany team in decades.
They swept past the hosts in an awe-inspiring first half, which included four goals in six minutes, leaving tens of thousands of Brazilians speechless at the Mineirao stadium.
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World Cup: Take a look at Germany's journey to the final
Germany eased past a 10-man Portugal, winning their World Cup Group G match 4-0, at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
The one-sided result kept intact Germany's record of never losing a match after scoring the opener since 1994, when Bulgaria upset them in the quarters.
Portugal's misery was compounded when defender Pepe was sent off after 37 minutes for pushing his head into Thomas Mueller as the German sat on the ground following a foul.
Muller went on to score three goals, his first international hat-trick, and only the second of the last three World Cups.
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World Cup: Take a look at Germany's journey to the final
Germany striker Miroslav Klose came off the bench to score a record-equalling 15th World Cup goal and salvage a 2-2 draw against Ghana in a pulsating Group G game.
Klose, with his first touch of the game, poked home at the back post from a corner in the 71st minute to move level with former Brazil striker Ronaldo.
This was the 800th match in the history of the World Cup and was a fitting tribute to the tournament.
It also marked Per Mertesacker's 100th German cap and also saw the Boateng half-brothers face each other for the second World Cup in a row. Jerome played the first half for Germany while Kevin-Prince played for Ghana.
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World Cup: Take a look at Germany's journey to the final
Germany edged past a gritty United States 1-0 in the World Cup Group G match in Refice, but the Americans also advanced to the last 16 after Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 in the other match in the group.
Germany topped the group and will face the runner-up in Group H, while the United States finished second and will face Group H's winner.
Germany's Thomas Mueller scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute.
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World Cup: Take a look at Germany's journey to the final
Andre Schuerrle and Mesut Ozil struck in extra time to earn Germany a 2-1 win over Algeria in a pulsating last-16 clash and a quarter-final date with France.
Chelsea forward Schuerrle broke the deadlock in the 92nd minute, with Arsenal's Ozil adding a second in the 120th minute.
Abdelmoumene Djabou struck in the first minute of stoppage time to give Algeria a consolation goal.
This was Algeria's first ever appearance in the knockout stages and they covered themelves with glory, taking the game to the three-time champions.
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World Cup: Take a look at Germany's journey to the final
Germany broke French hearts for the third time in the World Cup when they triumphed 1-0 at the Maracana on Friday to become the first country to reach the semi-finals in four successive tournaments.
But, unlike the dramas of their memorable semi-final victories over France in Spain in 1982 and Mexico four years later, this success, secured by Mats Hummels's 13th minute header, lacked real excitement and was based more on solid defending and team work.
The goal came when Hummels, back in the side after illness, powered his effort in as he muscled French defender Raphael Varane out of the way with the ball flying into the net off the underside of French keeper Hugo Lloris's crossbar.
It proved to be the only goal of a match that never came to life as a spectacle, with both teams making mistakes and failing to take any of the rare chances that came their way.
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World Cup: Take a look at Germany's journey to the final
Germany pumped five goals within 18 first half minutes to thrash shell-shocked hosts Brazil 7-1 in a truly astonishing one-sided World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte.
The three-time champions were 5-0 ahead, and the match over, well before the half hour mark. They added two more after resumption. It was only Germany's fifth ever win over Brazil in 22 matches (12 losses), and their first in a World Cup. Die Mannschaft had lost the 2002 final to the Selecao.
For Germany, the final in Rio will be their eight World Cup final. They have been champions in 1954, 1974 and 1990.
It was Brazil's first defeat on home soil in 42 matches and since 1975, when Peru beat them in the Copa America. Moreover, it was Brazil's worst defeat ever - their previous worse was a 0-6 reverse to neighbors Uruguay in 1920.