FOR ALL the freakish nature of the final scoreline, all it requires is a quick glance at the teamsheet to realise one of the greatest nights in the history of German football has been some time in the making.
Germany Under 21s celebrate winning the 2009 UEFA Under 21 World Championship[BONGARTS]Rewind back to the final of the European Under-21 Championships in Sweden in 2009 and it is here the seeds were sown for Germany's remarkable 7-1 success over a shell-shocked Brazil that has sent shockwaves reverberating around the globe.
Manuel Neuer, Mesut Ozil, Benedikt Howedes, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira and Mats Hummels all started the 4-0 win over England, which brought one of the first tangible rewards for the restructuring the German FA instigated following a dismal showing at Euro 2000.
Now fast-forward to Tuesday in Belo Horizonte, and they were all central to the ruthless dismantling of the hosts.
In stark contrast, James Milner was the only member of Stuart Pearce's starting XI that night who went with England to Brazil. But for injury Theo Walcott would also have been in Roy Hodgson's squad, while Joe Hart was suspended for that final five years ago. The likes of Mark Noble, Martin Cranie and Scott Loach will go down as mere footnotes.
"It started off in 2009 when we won the Under-21 tournament and beat England 4-0," said Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker. "That was a real turning point and five or six players from that team are doing well here.
"There's a small link between these two tournaments. That was five years ago and the youth academies in Germany have been developing well."
Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and Miroslav Klose celebrate scoring against Brazil [EPA]It is not simply the tournament experience that core group has gained which serves Germany so well, but also the camaraderie nurtured by their rise through the ranks which is underpinning everything Joachim Low's side represents.
To think that Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos are of a similar age and that Marco Reus, the Bender twins, Lars and Sven, and Ilkay Gundogan are all absent through injury, and the strength in depth Die Mannschaft boasts is truly remarkable.
"Overall you have to create a team spirit and with those magnificent players growing up together it makes it easier," said Mertesacker.
"If there are only 11 players who feel responsible to create the team then you have no chance.
"We have one of the strongest squads I've ever played in. We have two excellent players for every position and our whole squad is very lively.
"Everyone is capable of playing and as you could see all of the players who came on were magnificent and that can make the difference.
"There's a good rivalry. But we've found the team spirit as well during the tournament and that makes the difference. We have a good balance. Everyone believes in each other and that's the main reason behind this team."
Mertesacker admits he has sympathy for Brazil, who capitulated and conceded five goals before half-time, including three inside 179 seconds as a disbelieving worldwide audience looked on.
They were not organised on the pitch and after that we didn't miss a chance until we scored the fifth goal
"I feel sorry," he said. "I experienced that when I played with Germany in 2006 and we got knocked out by Italy in the semi-final.
"The expectations are big here in Brazil and to carry those is not easy. You could see that and we took advantage of it because there was a bit too much pressure on them and I feel sorry for everyone."
From this point on expectation stalks Germany as they endeavour to lift a first World Cup since 1990, their fourth in total, and a first international trophy since the Euro 1996 success on English soil.
There was an acknowledgement as they left the Estadio Mineirao they had taken part in something exceptional. Equally, they know they will have to be every bit as exceptional all over again.
"It's incredible what happened out there, especially in the first half in those minutes when we scored all those goals," said Hummels. "It's something you would never expect when you go on the pitch against Brazil in Brazil. It's unbelievable.
"After our second goal they got confused. They were not organised on the pitch and after that we didn't miss a chance until we scored the fifth goal. This doesn't happen too often. You just have to enjoy it.
"But it doesn't help us for Sunday. That's no problem for us. We know how hard it will be. It will be a hard fight and the only chance we have of winning is if we know that from the start.
"We know we are one of the best teams in the world but you always need a bit of luck. If we lose the final, this semi-final will not be worth anything.
"It will be no problem keeping our feet on the ground
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