When they stepped onto the pitch at the Estadio Mineirao on 8 July 2014, little did the 11 Germany players in Joachim Löw's side know that they were about to create FIFA World Cup history, tearing hosts Brazil and their dreams to shreds in a mind-blowing 7-1 win.

Die Nationalmannschaft would go on to lift their fourth World Cup five days later, with a nail-biting extra-time win over Argentina, but it is that extraordinary semi-final demolition of the Seleção that will forever be associated with their South American triumph.

Five years on, bundesliga.com checks in with the men who produced one of the tournament's greatest ever performances on that cloudy Tuesday evening in Belo Horizonte.

Back row (l-r): Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Miroslav Klose, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Jerome Boateng. Front row (l-r.): Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller, Benedikt Höwedes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Özil. - gettyimages

Manuel Neuer

Then:
Given the scoreline, it is easy to forget that Brazil actually had more shots on target (13) than Germany (12) in the semi-final, with Neuer forced to make no fewer than seven saves; his furious reaction when Oscar finally netted a last-minute consolation spoke volumes.

Now:
Widely considered one of the best goalkeepers of all-time, Neuer remains first-choice for Bayern Munich and Germany. A four-time winner of the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award, Neuer has inherited the captain's armband for both club and country. The 31-year-old has been troubled by injury in recent seasons, but came back with a bang in 2018/19, playing a vital role in Bayern’s domestic double.

Manuel Neuer remains number one choice for Bayern Munich and Germany. - 2019 Getty Images

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Philipp Lahm

Then:
Lahm sealed himself a place in the pantheon of German footballing greats as he captained Die Mannschaft to World Cup glory in Brazil, following in the footsteps of Fritz Walter (1954), Franz Beckenbauer (1974) and Lothar Matthäus (1990). The Bayern captain provided two assists in the semi-final win before hanging up his international boots at the end of the tournament. He played a further three seasons for boyhood club Bayern, before retiring in May 2017 with over 500 senior appearances and 21 titles to his name.

Now:
Managing director and Ambassador for Germany's UEFA Euro 2024 bid, the 34-year-old has become something of an entrepreneur since his retirement. The Philipp Lahm Foundation and Philipp Lahm Holding are his two most prized projects.

Philipp Lahm lifted his final Bundesliga title alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger for Bayern Munich. - 2014 Getty Images

Jerome Boateng

Then:
The first part of Germany’s world-class central defensive partnership, Boateng was pivotal to Germany powering their way to winning it all in Brazil. Four clean sheets from the seven matches played was the foundation with which Löw’s side built their play from.

Now:
Like Neuer, Boateng is still part of the first-team setup at Bayern. As well as adding five more Bundesliga titles and a two DFB Cups to his impressive trophy collection since the 2014 World Cup, the 29-year-old was voted Germany's Footballer of the Year in 2016, and was also included in the UEFA Team of the Year.

Jerome Boateng has remained in the Bundesliga spotflight, and five Bundesliga titles since 2014 tell you why. - © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA

Mats Hummels

Then:
Germany were already 5-0 up by the time Hummels was substituted off for Per Mertesacker at half-time against Brazil, but the Dortmund defender recovered from a minor knee complaint to play all 120 minutes of the final against Argentina alongside Boateng, keeping Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero from scoring.

Now:
After eight successful seasons with BVB – during which he won two Bundesliga titles and a DFB Cup - Bayern's prodigal son returned to the Allianz Arena in the summer of 2016, helping the record champions lift their fifth straight Meisterschale in his first season back. Two more titles and a DFB Cup triumph followed before another twist in the Hummels tale, with the defender re-joining Dortmund ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Mats Hummels has returned to Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich for the 2019/20 season. - 2016 DFL

Benedikt Höwedes

Then:
Höwedes was one of four players to play every minute of the 2014 World Cup for Germany, along with Neuer, Lahm and Toni Kroos. The centre-back played the entire tournament in the left-back position, proving his versatility and becoming one of Löw’s key players in the process.

Now:
Having spent his entire career with Schalke, the 30-year-old opted for a fresh start after Domenico Tedesco took over at the Veltins Arena, joining Juventus on loan at the start of 2017/18. Unfortunately, a series of injuries restricted the former Royal Blue to just 68 minutes in Serie A. He joined Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow on a permanent deal in 2018/19, winning the Russian Cup in his debut season.

Benedikt Höwedes returned to face former side Schalke with Lokomotiv Moscow in the UEFA Champions League during 2018/19. - imago/MIS

Sami Khedira

Then:
The former VfB Stuttgart midfielder scored Germany's fifth against Brazil in a rampant opening half hour, before making way for Julian Draxler in the second half. The title win crowned a memorable summer for the midfielder, who lifted the Champions League title with Real Madrid just a couple of months earlier.

Now:
He moved on to Juventus in summer 2015, winning back-to-back league and cup doubles with the Italian giants. Now one of the veterans of Löw's side at the age of 30, he was still a regular starter when fit, but suffered with a heart problem during the 2018/19 season and was only able to feature in 19 games in all competitions.

Sami Khedira has continued adding to his trophy collection with Juventus. - imago images / Gribaudi/ImagePhoto

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Then:
The heartbeat of the Germany team in Brazil, Schweinsteiger’s performance in the final is regarded as one of the best of any Germany player. He played a final season at boyhood club Bayern Munich following the World Cup - winning a record-equalling eighth Bundesliga title in the process – before moving to Manchester United in summer 2015. The midfielder took over the Germany captaincy after Lahm's retirement, before stepping down from the international game himself in August 2016.

Now:
Now a fan favourite at MLS side Chicago Fire, he and his wife Ana Ivanovic recently welcomed their first child, Luka, to the world. Schweinsteiger returned to Bayern's Allianz Arena last summer for a testimonial match, with the Fire taking on the Reds in an official farewell encounter. The German will continue in the MLS for another season this year.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is still running the midfielder for the Chicago Fire in the MLS. - imago/ZUMA Press

Thomas Müller

Then:
A German famed for his sense of humour and laid-back manner? Don't be fooled by Müller's off-field charisma, though; he's as ruthless as they come when he steps onto a football pitch. The 28-year-old opened the floodgates against Brazil with his 11th-minute strike – his 10th World Cup goal in total – on the way to winning the ultimate prize.

Now:
A one-club man, Müller will likely celebrate his 500th appearance for Bayern during the 2019/20 season – sitting just 15 matches short of the incredible total - and remains a key squad member at club level following on from the Lahm and Schweinsteiger era. He celebrated his eighth Bundesliga title in the 2018/19 season, and added his fifth DFB Cup crown to celebrate a domestic double.

Watch: Thomas Müller's roots!

Toni Kroos

Then:
If the rest of the world hadn't quite cottoned on to the fact that Kroos was an extraordinary player before Brazil 2014, the former Bayern Munich midfielder removed any lingering doubts at the tournament, especially in the demolition of Brazil. He set up Müller for the opener and scored twice himself in the 7-1 victory, finishing the World Cup with more assists than anyone else (four).

Now:
He signed for Real Madrid later that summer and has gone on to lift three Champions League titles with the Spanish giants (after the one he won with Bayern in 2013). He also won La Liga in 2016/17, was included in the FIFPro World XI in 2014, 2016 and 2017 and was named Germany’s Footballer of the Year in 2018.

Toni Kroos has come up against former employers Bayern Munich on several occasions with Real Madrid. - getty images

Mesut Özil

Then:
An outrageously gifted playmaker, the former Schalke and Werder Bremen midfielder set up Khedira's goal against Brazil. Özil remained a key part of Löw’s plans up to and including the 2018 World Cup, but has not featured for Germany since.

Now:
He remains at Arsenal, where he has played since 2013 and won the FA Cup in 2015 and 2017. He has also since become the fastest player in English Premier League history to bring up 50 assists.

Mesut Özil has worn the captain's armband at Arsenal several times, and helped them to the UEFA Europa League final in 2018/19. - imago/Action Plus

Miroslav Klose

Then:
The former Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich striker made himself an immortal in World Cup history with the second goal against a Seleçao, overtaking Brazil's Ronaldo as the all-time leading scorer (16).

Now:
Like Lahm, he chose to bow out at the top after the World Cup, although he kept playing at club level with Lazio until summer 2016. Later that same year he began a DFB coaching course and joined Germany's staff. In May 2018, Klose was named Bayern’s U17 coach and will continue in that role in this upcoming season.

Watch: Miroslav Klose will forever be one of the world's best strikers!

Andre Schürrle

Then:
The very definition of a super-sub! Schürrle started on the bench in Belo Horizonte but came on to play a starring role. Replacing Klose just before the hour mark, he added Germany's last two goals – before going on to set up Mario Götze for the all-important winner against Argentina in the final.

Now:
He played the first half of 2014/15 with Chelsea – playing enough games to win a Premier League winners' medal the following May – but joined Wolfsburg during the winter break. The attacking midfielder helped the Wolves win the DFB Cup that year before joining Dortmund in summer 2016, and helping them win it the following season. Schürrle spent the 2018/19 season on loan in England with Fulham in the Premier League.

Andre Schürrle spent the 2018/19 season on loan from Borussia Dortmund at English Premier League side Fulham. - imago/Action Plus