World Cup 2014: Brazil vs Germany Live Stream: Semifinals Kick Off As Host Nation Tries to Win Sans Neymar and Silva
ByThe first spot in the 2014 World Cup final is up for grabs as host nation Brazil takes on Germany without two of its key players.
Thanks to a second yellow card, Brazilian defender Thiago Silva is ineligible to play Tuesday. The host nation will also be without star striker Neymar Jr., who broke a bone in his back. Germany appears to be full strength and has an opportunity to win a rematch of the 2002 World Cup final, won by Brazil.
CLICK HERE to watch the match live online via WatchESPN. The game begins at 4 p.m. ET and coverage will start at 3:30 p.m.
According to FIFA.com, Estadio Mineirao, an arena built in 1965 that seats 58,170 people, will host the match. The city of Belo Horizonte will be hot, with temperatures reaching into the 90s and partial cloudiness, according to Weather.com.
Brazil won Group A by a narrow margin over Mexico before squeaking past Chile in the Round of 16 by winning a penalty kick shootout 3-2 after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Brazil played another close match in the quarterfinals against Colombia, a 2-1 win, though they lost Neymar Jr. and Silva.
Germany came out on top of the highly contentious Group G, dubbed "the group of death" for its tough competition and grueling travel schedule. The Germans then went on to beat Algeria 2-1 in the Round of 16 and then France 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
The other semifinal match will be held Wednesday between Argentina and the Netherlands. The winners will play Sunday, July 13 for the title while the losers will play for third place Saturday, July 12.
The host nation has played in all of the 20 World Cup tournaments ever hosted, winning the title five times. While Germany has been a highly successful national team, they do not match the prowess of the Brazilian team.