Brazil reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in 12 years following a 2-1 win against Colombia.
But ahead of their last four meeting with Germany, here are five reasons why it would be a disaster for football if the host nation triumphed...
THIS WORLD CUP DESERVES A BETTER WINNER
The last couple of World Cup winners, Italy and Spain, were classic knockout football victors. Methodical, pragmatic and suffocating, both teams were managed by serial winners in Marcello Lippi and Vicente del Bosque, coaches canny enough to overcome the tournament's crowdpleasers, notably Germany at the semi-final stage in both 2006 and 2010. Nevertheless, those teams had an aura about them; the Azzurri boasted Buffon, Cannavaro, Pirlo and Del Piero, while Spain featured Casillas, Iniesta, Silva and Villa. Brazil are unashamed artisans with few likeable players and it would be tragic if they won this vibrant of World Cups, let alone beat Germany.
THE FOOTBALL IS CHARMLESS
Arguably, the last truly popular World Cup winners were Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil in 2002. Had the worst German side since the Berlin Wall was torn down overcome them in that year's final it would have represented one of the World Cup's greatest travesties. This Brazil are not as laboured as Rudi Völler's team yet there is little about them that stirs the soul like the great Seleção sides of yesteryear. Their strikers are called Fred and Jo, the squad includes Premier League rejects like Maicon and Júlio César and the fun factor lies solely with Neymar.
THE PLAYERS
One glance at Brazil's players as they waltzed off the pitch at half-time was enough to convert neutrals into Colombia fans. The faux machismo, the delusions of grandeur, the over-celebrating and self-satisfaction, even for a side as mediocre as this one, is unrivalled.
Look at his face, just look at his face
Neymar, one of the few samba men amongst the amblers, cried pathetically before the second group game with Mexico. With some players, tears are genuine but Neymar, with his Phil Neville highlights and histrionics, is about as genuine as one of his tumbles. David Luíz is a player who inexplicably eludes a kicking almost every game despite his knack for stonewalling opponents, Dani Alves is a world-class cheat and Fernandinho kicked lumps out of the player of the tournament. Enemies of football? Anti-football? Take your pick.
ARE THEY STOKE IN DISGUISE?
Since when were Brazilian tackles and clearances celebrated by their fans and players? This Brazil team actually resembles Stoke at their most deplorable, only referees are more lenient.
THE SYCOPHANCY
Referee Carlos Velasco Carballo managed the seemingly impossible feat of officiating a match more dubiously than Japanese official Yuichi Nishimura's effort in Brazil's opening game against Croatia. Host nations invariably enjoy generous decisions - England might not have won the World Cup had it not been for a myopic linesman - and the omens are good for Brazil. It extends beyond the pitch, though. Some analysts said they were glad Brazil eliminated Chile as the World Cup wouldn't have been the same without them, which overlooked the fact Chile are a better side to watch and provide more exciting football.