World Cup 2014: Brazil v Germany – in pictures

He might be missing from the field of play today, but Neymar is everywhere in Belo Horizonte. The Brazilian striker and spearhead has a fractured vertebrae – if you haven't heard – and is out of the World Cup. What's more, Brazil's captain, Thiago Silva, is suspended for this fixture against Germany. How on earth will Brazil cope? Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

Well, they're pinning their hopes on this man: David Luiz. The former Chelsea player scored a pearler in the quarter-final against Colombia to help get Brazil into the semis; now he's captain for the night Photograph: Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

The Germans have reached 12 semi-finals out of the last 16 World Cups, a remarkable statistic. They've gone on to play in seven World Cup finals, winning three of them Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

The Brazilian players unveil Neymar's shirt during the national anthems, reflecting just what the absent striker means to the nation Photograph: ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images

The game gets under way and there's early pressure from the Germans Photograph: Pool/Getty Images

There's more than just early pressure! Thomas Mueller slams home a corner from an unmarked position to give Germany an 11th minute lead Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP

How was he afforded that much space? Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer tries to separate Thomas Mueller and Hulk after Marcelo went over in Germany's box Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Germany soon make it 2-0 when Miroslav Klose slots home at the second attempt from close-range. He's now the leading all time World Cup goal-scorer with 16, taking him ahead of Brazil's Ronaldo Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari looks exasperated, and well he might Photograph: RUBEN SPRICH/REUTERS

Guess what? It's 3-0! Barely a breath has been taken since the second goal. Germany's Toni Kroos is the scorer this time, lashing home a fine effort from the edge of the box in the 24th minute. This is extraordinary Photograph: LEONHARD FOEGER/REUTERS

Surely there is no way back for Brazil now? I mean, there's more than an hour remaining, so there's time, but they have been a complete mess at the back Photograph: VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty Images

Just look at Fernandinho. He looks broken already Photograph: Natacha Pisarenko/AP

Brazil manage to survive all of one minute before conceding a fourth … Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira exchange passes and Kroos bags his second of the match Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

There minutes later ... Khedira ... unmarked ... 5-0! Photograph: POOL/REUTERS

It's hard to know what to say anymore. Thankfully, this picture says it all Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

The Brazilian players are in mourning already Photograph: Celso Pupo/ Celso Pupo/Fotoarena/Corbis

Brazil's Bernard is in tears as they walk off at half-time Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

You'd think things might improve in the second half for Brazil, but no. Andre Schurrle slots home in the 69th minute Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

And then he wallops a beautiful strike in off the underside of the bar to make it 7-0! Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

Germany spurn the chance for an eighth before Oscar scores the least consolatory goal in football history for Brazil. Photograph: Pool/Getty Images

The final whistle blows and Oscar hits the deck and starts to cry. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Brazil's midfielder Luiz Gustavo prays after the match. Can they ever find redemption for this? The Brazilian team which lost the 1950 World Cup final to Uruguay were never forgiven Photograph: CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images

Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari gathers his players at the final whistle and tries to comfort them. It's futile. What can you possibly say when you've been thrashed 7-1 in a World Cup semi-final? Photograph: FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images