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Germany prevails as host nation reduced to 7-1
MUMBAI: The most anticipated clash between Brasil and Germany turned out to be the most shocking match. Germany defeated the host nation 7-1 in the semifinal match on Tuesday to earn a berth in the finals.
The Brasilians’ managed to score a single goal in the dying moments which was too late as Germany took the lead with a string of goals in fast succession. In just the first 30 minutes of play, Germany took the lead with five goals including a record-setting 16th from Miroslav Klose.
Doubts prevailed that it would be a tough battle for Brasil as its star striker NeymarJr was injured and captain Thiago Silva was suspended for the semifinals.
The fever in Brasil translated on twitter making it the most-discussed single sports game ever on Twitter. There were a total of 35.6 million tweets about the game during the match window. The most mentioned Brasilian players were Julio Cesar , midfielder Oscar who scored the lone goal and centre forward, Fred. From the German side Miroslav Klose, Toni kroos and Thomas Muller were the top three mentioned players.
In addition to a goal Klose scored, Toni Kroos scored twice for the Germans in two minutes, and Thomas Mueller and Sami Khedira added the others.
Brasil has not lost an official competitive match on home soil since 1975.
Mueller scored the first goal, one-timing a corner from Kroos past Cesar in the 11th minute. Khedira made it 5-0 in the 29th, taking a pass from Mesut Ozil and again beating Cesar.
Brasil has spent billions of dollars preparing for the tournament, with expectations that home advantage could deliver Brasil a sixth title. The huge spends had also ignited intense anger and protests against the World Cup. With disappointment flowing in, the Brasilians seated at the stadium started to chant against their President “Hey, Dilma, go get ****ed in the ***!” at about the 40th minute. The chants lasted for about three minutes.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
