- Brazil have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 2002, a year that they went on to lift the trophy.
- The Seleção have lost none of their last six semi-final matches, winning five and drawing the other.
- As such, Brazil have advanced through to the final in each of their last six appearances in the final four; needing penalties just once (versus Netherlands in 1998).
- Germany are the first country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in four consecutive tournaments.
- However, they have reached the final just once (2002) in their previous three appearances at this stage.
- This will be only the second meeting between these two nations at the World Cup.
- The first clash came in the 2002 final when Brazil won 2-0; with Ronaldo scoring both goals.
- Since that 2002 final the two teams have met three times in all competitions, including in the 2005 Confederations Cup. They have won one match each with the other ending in a draw.
- Their last meeting came in August 2011. Goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger, Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze helped Germany to a 3-2 win. Neymar and Robinho netted for Brazil.
- Brazil have scored in each of their last 10 clashes with Germany, averaging 2.2 goals per game.
- Neymar has scored four goals and assisted another in the 2014 World Cup; but will miss the rest of the tournament through injury.
- The Barcelona forward has played a hand in 50% of Brazil’s 10 goals so far in the tournament.
- Brazil’s captain Thiago Silva will miss the semi-final through suspension. Brazil have lost none of their last 10 matches that he has featured in (W8 D2).
- Silva’s replacement in the Brazil team is likely to be Bayern Munich defender Dante. The defender has played 151 times in the German Bundesliga for FC Bayern and Borussia Monchengladbach.
- Dante is one of four players (two of which are goalkeepers) in the Brazil squad yet to play a minute at the 2014 World Cup.
- No side have kept more clean sheets in the 2014 World Cup than Germany (3), while Brazil have only kept one in their five matches.
- Brazil have won just one of their last four World Cup matches against UEFA opposition. That victory came in the Group Stages of this tournament against Croatia (D1 L2).
- Germany’s only defeat in their last nine matches against South American opposition at the World Cup came in the 2002 final versus Brazil. They have won six and drawn two of the other eight.
- Germany’s last six goals in the competition have been netted by six different players.
- Only Thomas Muller (4) has scored more goals for Germany in this competition than centre-back Mats Hummels (2).
- Both teams had to rely on goals from centre-halves to win their quarter-final match (Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Mats Hummels).
- Against Colombia, Brazil conceded 31 fouls; more than the Seleção have conceded in any single World Cup game from 1966 onwards.
- Miroslav Klose needs one goal to be the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. He is currently joint-top with Ronaldo (15 goals).
- The Lazio forward is the only player from either squad that was part of the 2002 final.
Following Spain's 2010 World Cup final triumph over the Netherlands, Uruguay striker Diego Forlan picked up the Golden Ball award while young Germany forward Thomas Mueller took the Best Young Player accolade as well as the Golden Boot.
Atletico Madrid striker Forlan proved to be one of the star performers in South Africa, beating off competition from the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Spain hitman David Villa to be crowned the tournament's best player - as voted for by the media.
Forlan was, however, pipped to the post when it came to the Golden Boot, with Thomas Mueller's five goals and three assists for Germany edging him ahead of Silver Boot winner Villa and Holland playmaker Sneijder who picked up the bronze award.
Mueller also claimed the Best Young Player gong for his impressive performances in South Africa, beating both Ghana's Andre Ayew and Mexico's Giovanni Dos Santos to claim the prize.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who made a string of impressive saves in Spain's final triumph over the Netherlands, claimed the Golden Glove while Vicente del Bosque's side were also recognised with the Fair Play Award.
