Brazil vs Germany: Watch World Cup 2014 Semifinals Football Online (ESPN TV Schedule)
World Cup hosts Brazil will play Germany on Tuesday in the first semifinal of the 2014 tournament as they attempt to navigate their way past their biggest challenge yet in this year's competition.
This huge game will be only the second time these two teams have played each other in the World Cup, and Germany will be fighting to gain revenge for their 2002 Final defeat.
The match is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the ESPN network.
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Brazil will have to be at their absolute best today if they are to get past Germany and maintain their dream of winning the World Cup on home soil. They are missing star player Neymar after he fractured his spine in Brazil's quarterfinal against Colombia. They are also missing captain Thiago Silva, who is suspended for today's game after picking up a second yellow of the tournament in their previous game.
That means Dante will have to deputize, but it will be difficult for Brazil to replace those two key players.
Neymar could be replaced by a similar attacking player such as Willian or Bernard, or they may instead decide to put three in central midfield.
Meanwhile, for Germany there are no new injury concerns, and that means coach Joachim Low must decide whether or not to recall center-back Per Mertesacker, who was dropped for the game against France.
It is arguable whether Brazil can get by without their talisman Neymar. He has scored four goals and a key penalty in the shootout win over Chile to drive his team into the semifinals despite them often lacking the flowing play and skill of Brazil teams from the past.
Brazilian Zico has said that Brazil need to find resolve from the situation they find themselves in: "The players have a chance to draw energy from Neymar's sacrifice. They need to leave their souls on the pitch as a tribute for this kid."
Meanwhile, if Germany lose today it will be the third straight World Cup semifinal that they have been knocked out in. They will want to avoid that at all costs, and will be desperate to gain revenge over Brazil for defeating them in the 2002 final.
Low has said, "I think for all Germans one things for sure - we desperately want to play in the Maracana in Rio again (for the final). We're not done yet."
Brazil will play Germany, with a start time of 4 p.m. ET, and the game can be watched on TV on the ESPN network. The game can also be watched online through ESPN live stream by clicking here.
