Feio Horizonte

Where to start! There's a few hundred Brazilians waking up this morning pinching themselves to check whether it was real or a nightmare. Pretty sad for the hosts, and worse for my poor dad who had dreamed about this match for years and it turned out to be historic for the wrong reasons. The post-match quote? "It's a dream to come here and see Brasil, but don't bloody ask me again!" Well, that's the tame and translated version.

If you're as sad as me, watch the first eight minutes of the game again and then think back to the final score. Brazil started quite well and forced the tempo and mistakes from the Germans. Then the Germans imposed their play. Impressively. Morale of the story? Never get too excited with short spells of pressure...means nothing if you do not convert.

Don't be fooled into thinking Neymar and Thiago Silva would have made a major difference. The disciplined defending of Thiago would gave helped but we 're talking by a goal or two. They missed his leadership though. At 2-0 and 3-0, they needed a timeout to get their heads together. 

As is always the case with these stunning results, human nature focuses on the negative. That is a huge shame. My memory of this game will be the shocking loss for Brazil, but one of the greatest team performances at a World Cup, and Miroslav Klose breaking the all-time WC goals record. Credit where it is due.

It may be early days, but the Brazilians have been classy in taking this loss. They applauded the Germans when they scored their seventh. The press have held their hands up. The inquests have only just started however.

The only thing I couldn't get my head around was booing Fred at 6-0. I'm not a fan of him at all. I'm easy about booing but I don't like booing your own. But booing the striker when your team is losing 6-0?! Poor form.

The Germans, Dutch and Argentines will now save fortunes when buying tickets for the final. Good luck to them! A European final will be impressive and I'm cheering the Dutch on tonight on behalf of a bunch of friends. That said, it will be a better atmosphere and spectacle with Argentina there. I'm as neutral as they come but neutrals don't make for a good atmosphere usually and at least Argentina will fill the ground.

The line if the night was from an American kid sat in front of us last night. "We only lost by one to these Germans!"

Forgetting the football for a moment, we're leaving Varginha and heading to São Paulo this morning. Early start but back on the road. Belo was belo but it was a short visit. Cannot believe how clear and good the roads are. Touch wood. That said, there is a toll every five minutes so it is no surprise.

Not asking for much tonight but I'd like a competitive game please!