Shock for Brazil

In sport, winning and losing is inevitable. The 1-7 devastation of Brazil in the hands of Germany in the World Cup semi-final is shell-shocking. One can certainly understand the anger and anguish of Brazilian fans when the Germans rained goals like torrential rain. It was surreal to watch a world-class team playing like a novice varsity squad. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic moment for Germans.

Varad Seshadri,

Sunnyvale, California

Hailing from a place where football is arguably the dearer game, the Germany-Brazil match was more than a visual treat for northeastern Indians — small bets among friends, pounding hearts and occasional shrieks. The rout of the host is reminiscent of the 1998 World Cup Final when it was defeated by host France 0-3. The match is once again a demonstration of the increasing domination of the European style of the game over other intercontinental ones, particularly the South American play of individual artistry and footwork.

Ananda Chingangbam,

Itanagar