"The players from both sides are entering the field!"
"There's bad news for the German Team. During the pre-match warm-up, Arsenal star Özil unfortunately pulled a muscle, forcing the German Team to make a lineup adjustment. The eighteen-year-old Mark Lane has replaced him…"
"Fortunately, he only got injured during the pre-match warm-up. If he had been injured and left the field during the match, the German Team would have only been able to use one substitution."
"For the German Team, this is a blessing in disguise."
On Germany's side, apart from Mark replacing Özil as the starting left winger, the other positions were exactly the same as in the previous match against France.
The goalkeeper was Neuer;
The four defenders were Lahm, Jérôme Boateng, Hummels, and Höwedes, respectively;
Khedira and Schweinsteiger formed the double pivot;
In the front four, Mark and Müller were on the left and right, Kroos was in the center for distribution, and Klose was the lone striker!
On Brazil's side, due to Neymar's injury withdrawal and Thiago Silva's yellow card suspension, they were also suddenly missing two core players.
The Brazil Team also adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In the goalkeeper position was César.
The four defenders were Maicon, David Luiz, Dante, and Marcelo, respectively;
The defensive midfield duo was Gustavo and Fernandinho;
In the front four, Bernard and Hulk were on the left and right, Oscar was in the center, and Fred was leading the attack!
Looking at Brazil's front four, apart from Oscar who was somewhat well-known, the other three could only be described as nobodies.
Compared to the famous world-class stars of the past, such as Ronaldinho and Kaka, it was simply a world of difference!
However, compared to their rather meager midfield, the defense composed of Maicon, David Luiz, Dante, and Marcelo still looked star-studded.
At least each of them was a star who had proven himself in a giant club.
Of course, it only looked good... Perhaps it was because they were playing at home, or perhaps because the stands were full of Brazilian fans, Brazil, despite not having its strongest lineup, adopted a high-press tactic after the kick-off!
The Brazil Team's entire formation pushed forward, attempting to seize the initiative on the field.
But how could the German Team, which had long transitioned to a pass-and-control style, be afraid of a high press?!
And with such mediocre players as Fred, Bernard, and Hulk?!
A few simple short passes in the German Team's backfield easily extracted the ball from the pressing circle and brought it to the midfield area.
Schweinsteiger's diagonal pass directly found Mark, who was unmarked on the left.
After stopping the ball, Mark saw a 'bald egg' charging towards him.
Defending him was the former top right-back in the world—Maicon!
Unfortunately, Maicon was now 33 years old.
Especially after being repeatedly 'cooked' by Bale in the Champions League, he had already begun to decline.
The current Maicon's physical functions had severely deteriorated; he no longer possessed his former explosiveness and Speed.
And he happened to be up against "German Ronaldinho" Mark, whose 'Explosiveness' and 'Speed' were both above ninety!
With the improvement in Speed and explosiveness, Mark had completely transformed compared to the'sideline wheelchair' he was half a year ago.
Observing that his opponent was older, he didn't hesitate, directly dribbling the ball forward and performing several step-overs.
Watching these exaggerated step-over feints, Maicon stared intently at the ball, while an unidentifiable anger rose within him!
"Damn it, trying fancy tricks in front of an old pro?!"
However, just when he thought Mark would drop his left shoulder and break through on the outside, he didn't expect that it was merely a deliberate flaw Mark was selling!
The moment Maicon extended his foot, Mark used the outside of his foot to push the ball, breaking through on the inside.
Feeling only a black figure flash past him, Maicon turned around and only saw the '23' on Mark's back!
"He's through!"
"Mark cuts inside!"
Cutting inside along the flank, he reached the left side of the edge of the penalty area. After glancing at David Luiz, who had been drawn over, Mark suddenly made a sharp stop and played a horizontal pass to the center with his left foot!
Kroos, who had advanced, directly met the ball with a push shot, and the ball flew out, hugging the ground!
Of course, such a shot did not trouble César.
The Brazilian goalkeeper made a diving save, pushing the ball out for a corner!
After getting up, he immediately yelled at the two defensive midfielders.
Although he didn't quite understand Portuguese.
But Mark also somewhat guessed that César was angry that the two defensive midfielders hadn't properly protected the top of the arc.
"Beautiful combination!"
"The German Team takes the first shot, a warning shot!"
Just from the performance of the first wave of defense, Mark knew that Brazil's defense today was absolutely paper-thin.
With a defensive line of Maicon, David Luiz, Dante, and Marcelo, four individuals couldn't even make up two defensive players.
The only one with decent defensive capabilities was Dante.
But this guy was also good at frontal defense but notoriously slow in turning around.
Next, Brazil actually continued to press forward, engaging the German Team in an attacking battle!
However, compared to the German Team's sharp attacks that threatened César every time, the Brazil Team was completely unable to organize effective attacks!
They couldn't even advance to the opponent's heartland before being intercepted by the German Team's midfield, which then launched a quick counter-attack... "The German Team completes another steal!"
"Khedira dribbles forward... passes the ball to Müller..."
"Müller observes and chooses to cross directly!"
"Klose!"
"What a pity, this header was too central..."
"The German Team is back at it!"
"Mark gets the ball, plays a one-two with Kroos, Maicon can't keep up with him at all!"
"Mark enters the penalty area... a horizontal pass!"
"Oh, Klose couldn't connect with the ball…"
Originally, when watching the World Cup matches, Mark didn't quite understand why the Brazil Team, with home advantage, was so badly beaten by the German Team.
However, when he actually played against the Brazil Team on the field, by observing Brazil's tactical approach, personnel configuration, and mentality, he finally understood why a 7-1 tragedy occurred.
Their front players generally had poor running ability and weak team awareness, yet they tried to play a high-press game;
Their defense was chaotic, with overlapping defensive positions, yet they pushed everyone forward to attack;
Their central and defensive midfielders were basically all 'wheelchairs,' yet they liked to set up and go toe-to-toe with Germany!
When the match reached the tenth minute, the deadlock was broken!
Mark's cut-in shot from the left, after breaking through, hit center-back Dante and flew out for a goal kick.
Germany earned a corner kick opportunity.
Kroos's corner kick flew into the penalty area, was slightly flicked by Hummels, and landed perfectly at the far post.
And Müller, who had appeared there at some point, lifted his foot and volleyed the ball into the net!
Thus, just ten minutes into the match, the German Team had breached the Brazil Team's goal!
The scorer was Thomas Müller, known by fans as the 'Tragedy Opener'!
Müller, who scored his fifth goal of the tournament, did not run to the corner flag to celebrate, but merely pumped his fist and roared in place!
And looking at Müller, who had scored first, and then at the bewildered Brazilian players, Mark's heart couldn't help but ripple with a thought:
To say something Brazilian fans won't like to hear, this match is destined to be a tragedy!