Löw's "disrespect" could be interpreted in two ways:
The first is to make provocative or humiliating gestures towards the opponent.
For example, rainbow flicks, nutmegs, and other fancy moves that carry a sense of humiliation.
The second is to continue scoring.
As the team with the most World Cup victories, the German Team had already scored six goals against Brazil in the first half.
If they continued to score in the second half, it would truly be a bit disrespectful to the opponent.
Perhaps some people might think that deliberately going easy on an opponent when leading by a large margin is what constitutes disrespect.
Instead, giving it your all is what truly shows respect to your opponent!
Indeed.
Everyone has a different view on competitive sports.
And Mark personally believes that if you respect your opponent, you must give your all on the field!
However, it also depends on the situation.
Germany and Brazil are not arch-rivals, nor do they have any deep-seated hatred.
As the saying goes, leave a line in life, and you'll meet again in the future.
Not to mention that the Brazil team has his club teammate Gustavo.
If they continued to score, whether they could leave the stadium was another matter entirely.
Doing so would only enrage the Brazil players, causing the Brazilians to start treating them more aggressively!
Mark had already been fouled multiple times in the first half; otherwise, he could have scored one or two more goals in the first half.
He did not want to get injured and miss the upcoming World Cup Final because of a match whose outcome was already decided!
Facing Löw's warning, the German Team players all nodded, indicating their understanding.
Although they were told not to deliberately go easy and to play a normal, friendly game.
Everyone knew, however, that they had to ease up in the second half.
However, a hint of doubt arose in Mark's heart.
In his memory, in the original script, after the German Team scored five goals against the Brazil team in the first half, they scored two more in the second half, only going easy and letting Brazil score one when it was seven-nil.
Later, Khedira also revealed in an interview that Löw had warned the players not to deliberately go easy during halftime.
However, judging from their performance in the second half, the German Team's offense had still significantly weakened compared to the first half.
Even so, the German Team still extended their lead in the second half.
Just as Mark was feeling puzzled, he saw Schürrle returning from the restroom after a big one, and then he suddenly understood!
Why the German Team continued to score in the second half even after Löw had given his orders.
Case closed!
The culprit was this guy Schürrle!
You see, in the original script, the two goals the German Team scored in the second half were both scored by Schürrle!
As for why he would be so "disrespectful" to the Brazil team?!
The reason was that he had gone to the restroom for a big one during halftime and didn't hear Löw's implied warning!
Just as Mark was muttering to himself, Löw also came up to him and quietly asked:
"Mark, how do you feel?"
In the first half, Mark was the most fouled player on the German Team, being brought down five times!
Although he used his excellent explosiveness to protect himself as much as possible at the moment of impact.
However, several muscle groups still suffered contusions.
"My thigh muscles are a bit sore and swollen, and my calf hurts a bit. But I can still keep going."
"That's good. You'll play a bit longer in the second half, and then I'll substitute you off."
"Understood, coach."
After patting Mark's shoulder, Löw also walked towards Captain Lahm, seemingly preparing to give Lahm some more instructions.
After a brief halftime break, both teams returned to the field to continue the battle.
The stunned Brazil players also somewhat composed their complex feelings and stepped onto the field again.
However, the huge six-goal difference already meant the match could be declared over.
What the Brazilians needed to do was to try their best to score goals, to reclaim even a tiny bit of dignity.
Unfortunately, facing the German Team, who firmly controlled possession, they couldn't even win the ball back.
And so, under the German Team's passing and control, time ticked away little by little.
When the 58th minute arrived, Löw immediately substituted two players off the field:
Schürrle replaced Mark, and Götze replaced Klose.
Substituting two key players at this point was, on one hand, to give them a rest.
On the other hand, it was also a signal to cease hostilities.
However, Schürrle, who rarely got a chance to play, seemed very excited.
Perhaps no one really reminded him, or perhaps he believed that giving his all was a sign of respect for the Brazil team, as he scored two goals in quick succession in the 67th and 75th minutes, achieving a brace!
At this point, Mark, sitting on the bench, also saw countless Brazil fans in the opposite stands starting to leave.
He could even faintly hear crying from the stands behind him.
This day was destined to be etched deep in the hearts of all Brazilians.
It wasn't until the 89th minute, with the German Team deliberately easing up, that Oscar finally scored a consolation goal for the Brazil team.
Finally, with the whistle from Mexican referee Rodriguez, this match, which shocked football fans worldwide, finally came to an end.
The German Team, with goals from multiple players, massacred the host Brazil team with a score of eight to one!
And after the final whistle blew, the German Team players dared not linger on the field and quickly scurried back into the players' tunnel.
Even Kroos, who completed three assists and one goal and was named Man of the Match, could only be interviewed inside the players' tunnel.
Inside the Mineirão Stadium, only the heartbroken or tearful Brazil players and fans remained, still processing the unbearable truth... Safely back in the locker room, the German Team players finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Immediately after, music started playing, and everyone began to celebrate:
"Olé, Olé, Olé, we're in the final!"
"Final! Final! Final!"
Müller and Podolski began to dance to the music, and Mark and the shirtless Little Draxler also joined in.
One could see that everyone's faces were beaming with joy and happiness.
Even the usually cool head coach Löw showed a smile.
This match was simply too easy for the German Team.
The opponent had no power to retaliate whatsoever!
The final score of eight to one was one goal more than in the original script Mark had read.
This was also a small change caused by Mark, the little butterfly, flapping his wings.
It's worth mentioning that in this match, Mark also scored his sixth goal in this World Cup!
This also allowed him to tie J-Rod's goal count!
However, since he only had one assist, while J-Rod had two assists.
Therefore, he still ranked second in the top scorer list.
Of course, the Golden Boot is a minor matter.
The most important thing is that they have reached the final!
He hadn't expected his first World Cup journey to lead him to the final.
And he had a very good chance of winning the world cup trophy!
If he could win the World Cup at the age of eighteen, his personal fame and status in the football world would rise significantly.
Winning the World Cup right after making his debut—this was a great achievement that even Messi and Ronaldo couldn't accomplish!
Thinking of this, Mark's mind was already filled with the beautiful image of him lifting the world cup trophy...
...
...
50 power stones for extra chapter
Please support me at patreon.com/zeaser where you get 30 more chapters