GERMANY inflicted the most shocking result in World Cup history when it crushed host Brazil 7-1 in a semifinal that brought grief to millions of home fans and caused utter astonishment around the world Tuesday.

    The inspired Germans scored five goals in 30 minutes of the first half to rewrite the record books as Brazil’s defense caved in to leave their dreams of a sixth world title in tatters.

    It was Brazil’s record World Cup defeat, their first at home in 64 competitive matches since 1975 and was the first time they had lost by six goals in any match since Uruguay beat it 6-0 in the Copa America in 1920. It was also the largest margin of victory in a World Cup semifinal.

    The defeat ended Brazil’s dream of winning a first World Cup on home soil to bury the ghost of their 1950 final defeat by Uruguay, which is known in Brazilian culture as the “Maracanazo,” the tragedy of the Maracana.

    Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari issued a heart-felt apology to a country that had spent more than US$11 billion to host the World Cup and invested its heart and soul in making the tournament a success.

    Brazil’s stand-in captain David Luiz kneeled on the ground and prayed, with his arms and index fingers pointed up. Oscar, who scored Brazil’s lone goal, cried near midfield.

    Many Brazilians at the stadium in Belo Horizonte sobbed. Anger and disappointment were so intense that it threatened to darken the national mood for some time to come, with possible consequences for President Dilma Rousseff as she seeks a second term in October.

    Brazil has won the World Cup on three continents, once in Europe, once in Asia and three times in the Americas — but never at home.(SD-Agencies)

    (More on P7)