'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Brazil eeked out a 1-0 win over Germany in Berlin with Gabriel Jesus' goal in the first half being the only difference between the two sides. The hosts dominated the possession throughout the match but could not carve out a decent chance to trouble the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Brazil's goal, on the other hand, came against the run of play as Willian was afforded far too much space on the right to put in a cross and Jesus obliged. This defeat brought an end to Germany's 22-match unbeaten run. On that note, let's take a look at how each player fared in the meeting between these two gigantic international sides:
Brazil
Alisson Becker: 7/10
The "Messi of goalkeepers", as suggested by his agent, is going from strength to strength with each passing game and this was another game where Alisson showed his worth to the side. Coming out of his line confidently to handle crosses, Alisson never looked shy to get hold of the ball or clear it long.
Dani Alves: 4/10
With Mario Gomez up front, Germany's tactic was to provide the towering forward with the best possible service. The Germans made full use of the flanks and almost bypassed Alves at will. Ahead of the World Cup, Alves needs to get some work done on his one on one defending.
Thiago Silva: 9/10
It was not Brazil's attack but their defence that got them over the line. And it was Silva who delivered an imperious performance and showed why he is considered as a world class defender.
He handled the physicality of Gomez and then Sandro Wagner pretty well and made life difficult for them in aerial duels. If it was not for Silva, Germany's ploy of going direct would have definitely earned them a goal.
Joao Miranda: 7/10
Miranda gave solid company to Silva at the back and looked assured in whatever he did. With this performance, he has ensured his ticket to Russia this summer.
Marcelo: 4/10
Just as Dani Alves, Marcelo also struggled to keep the crosses coming from his wing in check and hence, disappointed defensively.
Casemiro: 6/10
Casemiro shielded his backline decently on a majority of the occasions. But he missed Gundogan's run into the box in the first half which could have proved costly for the Selecaos.
Fernandinho: 6/10
The Manchester City man complimented Casemiro well and led Germany to have possession without penetration. He also kept the play ticking and controlled the tempo for Brazil in the second half.
Paulinho: 5/10
Paulinho could and should have displayed more attacking intent this season. Getting those runs into the box, that's what has made him a success at FC Barcelona, which was, unfortunately, lacking from the midfielder. But the midfield trio of Paulinho, Casemiro and Fernandinho can be commended for their intense pressing.
Philippe Coutinho: 6/10
Coutinho troubled the German backline on either side of the break with two decent efforts but failed to get his shot on target. His passing was alright but was the only player to be substituted in the second interval.
Willian: 7/10
The forward should brilliant work rate on the night and was effective with and without the ball. It was his cross that led to the solitary goal of the game.
Gabriel Jesus: 8/10
Jesus again showed why he is keeping Roberto Firmino out of the starting lineup with another goal-laden performance. Brazil never lose when Jesus scores and it was the case yet again as his header secured a crucial win (morally) over Germany.
Substitutions
Douglas Costa: 6/10
The Juventus man played the final quarter of the game. He used the width to his advantage and looked lively but could not produce an end product or a final ball in his cameo outing.
Germany
Kevin Trapp: 4/10
Trapp has not been a regular for PSG this season and it was shown why with a lacklustre performance against Brazil. He flapped at Jesus' header and made a mess of what could have been an easy save.
Marvin Plattenhardt: 5/10
Attacking wise, Plattenhardt was brilliant in overlapping Sane and delivering dangerous crosses into the box. But he was also at fault for the Brazil goal as he was found in no man's land when the cross was put in.
Antonio Rudiger: 6/10
The Chelsea man did his job decently but had to go wide to cover Willian from putting in that fateful cross. Germany missed him in the box when it mattered which proved to be the only difference in the game.
Jerome Boateng: 6/10
Captaining his national side for the first time, Boateng looked calm and showed his insane passing range on the night. But he could have done better in handling Jesus during the buildup to the goal.
Joshua Kimmich: 8/10
Kimmich put in dangerous crosses into the box, handled Coutinho with expertise and also chose the exact right moments to burst forward. It was a brilliant performance from the youngster from start to end.
Toni Kroos: 5/10
Kroos had one of his silent nights as he could not find his passing mojo against the Brazilians. His set-piece deliveries were top notch but overall, Kroos failed to make a mark on the game.
Ilkay Gundogan: 4/10
Gundogan missed a glorious chance in the first half and was bypassed far too easily by the Brazilian midfield. He also lost possession in a crucial position which led to the goal.
Leon Goretzka: 5/10
Barring a couple of balls into the box from the right side, Goretzka failed to have the sort of impact that he would have hoped for. He was taken off at the hour mark.
Julian Draxler: 7/10
Draxler looked the liveliest of all the German attackers. His link-up play with Leroy Sane created space for the hosts and Draxler also showed some much-needed urgency in the game.
Leroy Sane: 6/10
His link-up play with Draxler caught the eye but he tried far too much in getting the better of his man where a pass or a cross could have been the logical option. A learning curve for the youngster.
Mario Gomez: 5/10
Gomez was the focal point of all Germany attacks until he was taken off. But the 32-year-old could not get the better of the Brazilian defence who managed to keep him silent throughout his time on the field. His chances of getting game time in Russia look bleak.
Substitutions
Lars Stindl: 4/10
The midfielder was anonymous for the majority of the half hour that he was on. He attempted a shot late in the game which was not on target.
Julian Brandt: 5/10
The Bayer Leverkusen starlet played it too safe at times and never made full use of his blistering pace to get behind the ageing Brazilian fullbacks.
Sandro Wagner: 6/10
Wagner's introduction brought a spark in Germany's efforts with his physicality and movement troubling the Brazilian defenders. For Germany's plan B, Wagner should be an obvious choice at the World Cup over Mario Gomez.
Niklas Sule: 6/10
Sule was solid with his defensive work and made a timely tackle to stop Douglas Costa late in the game from having a go at Trapp.
Timo Werner: N/A
Werner played the last 10 minutes of the match but hardly had any possession to make an impact.
