Touchdown Germany; Brazil Loses 7-1 in World Cup Semifinals

It was a crushing defeat for the host nation of Brazil in the 2014 FIFA World Cup semifinals on Tuesday, July 8.

Germany won 7-1, and scored four goals within six minutes in the first half!

Brazilians living in Framingham and those in the Latin American country knew it would be difficult for the host nation to advance to the finals after its star player Neymar was injured in the quarterfinals and its captain Thiago Silva was suspended.

No country is more closely associated with soccer, than Brazil. Think Pele.

Also, Brazil has won more World Cup titles than any other nation - 5.

So in hosting the 2014 World Cup, there were high expectations for Brazil.

Tuesday's defeat was a huge blow to the soccer-loving nation.

“We ask for forgiveness,” Head Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said in a press conference after the devastating loss.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff tweeted on Tuesday "I am immensely sorry for all of us!"

Scolari admitted after the game that Brazil had lost their bearings during that staggering first-half salvo. "I couldn't change anything ... it was one goal after another," said the head coach, reported ESPN. "There was nothing to be done during that breakdown."

"I want to say sorry to all Brazilians," he told ESPN. "It's a day of great sadness, the end of a dream.

Framingham - as it has for all the Brazilian World Cup games - was ready for a spontaneous celebration by Brazilians in downtown Framingham.

Framingham DPW crews set up barriers, police arrives but no celebration.

"I have received emails and phone calls from residents and Town Meeting members objecting to allocation of police resources as a result of celebrations that occur following World Cup soccer games featuring the Brazil national team," wrote Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin in his report to Selectmen Tuesday night. "The Town of Framingham does not authorize or encourage organized celebrations of the nature seen following World Cup soccer games featuring the Brazil national team. The Town has taken steps to discourage such celebrations and to suggest to community leaders and stakeholders better locations other than the congested downtown Central Business District."

"In assigning police officers to downtown Framingham in anticipation of these spontaneous celebrations our paramount interest is to protect and ensure public safety, ensure that roadways remain open, and to enforce the laws of Commonwealth," wrote Halpin.

The World Cup is held every 4 years. 

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Today, July 9, Netherlands and Argentina will play in the other World Cup semifinals match. The winner will face Germany in the finals on Sunday, July 13.

For Brazil, there is still one more soccer match to be played! They will play for third place in the 2014 World Cup in the consolation game on Saturday, July 12 at 4 p.m. EST.

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Originally posted at midnight. Updated for Wednesday's newsletter.