Germany 7, Brazil 1

It was a curious feeling, knowing that what I was watching was so significant, it’d be remembered for decades by the whole world.

Some people will accuse Germany of ruthlessness. But four of the early goals came during a six-minute period, and that couldn’t have been malicious. The Germans simply were going through their paces. If the Brazilians were too flustered to play basic defense, what ought the Germans to have done? Refrained from shooting?

Since 2011, the Brazilians have looked downright incompetent. They’ve offered nothing to the sport. This year, with home-field clout, they’ve gotten away with it. Until last night.

The world can be grateful to Germany for all those goals.

Because of the goals, there was no chance of another refereeing scandal. There were no bogus penalties, as against Croatia; there was no egregious, overlooked violence, as against Colombia.

Even the announcers, usually so fond of pedigree, turned against Brazil. With this scoreline, there was no sugarcoating this team’s insipidity.