Postpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Germany forward Lukas Podolski:, external Big game in front of us. Let's make the last step to the final....
Summary
Brazil v Germany semi-final (21:00 BST)
Live on BBC One, 5 live & website
Brazil boss Scolari: We can cope without Neymar
German boss Low wants referee to take tough line
GET INVOLVED: Who do you want to win the tournament? #bbcworldcup
Postpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Postpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Postpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Chris Bevan
BBC Sport in Rio de Janeiro"It's fair to say Rio de Janeiro is ready for Brazil's semi-final showdown with Germany, which is taking place 226 miles away in Belo Horizonte. There were already queues forming for the hugely-popular Fan Fest on the Copacabana when I jogged (slowly) past at 7am this morning - a full 10 hours before kick-off - and the roads are already practically deserted. It's a bank holiday here every time Brazil play, so people have plenty of time to get into party mode (or worry about the result)."
Get involved on 81111published at 17:43 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Dan, Leicester, via text: Re 16:54. Ronaldo. The phenomenon of 2002. Legend. How quickly people have forgotten his breathtaking achievements and performances that defied physics. Messi, Maradona, Pele, who? The phenomenon would have blown them away.
Get involved #bbcworldcuppublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Gus Zimmerman:, external All the hype about a potential Argentina vs Brazil final. How about a Germany vs Netherlands final!
Postpublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Seems Juninho, like the rest of us, has no idea how Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari - or Felipao as he is known at home - will try to replace Neymar.
"Without Neymar, Felipao hides the game" - says Brazilian newspaper O Globo on its front page.
Because of my Portuguese language skills absolutely minimal (non-existent), that is clearly a literal translation. I'm sure it means Big Phil is keeping his cards close to his chest....
Postpublished at 17:33 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
BBC Radio 5 liveFormer Brazil midfielder Juninho says his nation have got what it takes to win the World Cup - even with Neymar's enforced absence through injury.
"Brazil can still do it without Neymar but it's going to be more difficult. Brazil doesn't have another player like Neymar that can change the game like he can," he tells BBC Radio 5 live.
"Maybe Brazil will get stronger as a unit and play Willian or even Paulinho. As a unit, maybe Brazil can be stronger as a unit than in other matches."
Postpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Belo Horizonte
Image source, PhilMcNulty/Twitter"Just under four hours to go to kick-off here at the Estadio Mineirao and thousands of Brazil fans already here - some claiming the prime places along the barriers to give the team coach a guard of honour into the stadium. Not too many Germany colours in evidence at the moment."
Get involvedpublished at 17:27 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Do you agree with Beckenbauer? Will Germany reach the final tonight?
And while we're talking about classic semi-finals, we also want to know your memories of great World Cup ties. Which is your favourite last-four clash of all-time and why?
You know the drill. Tweet using #bbcworldcup, text 81111 or post on our Facebook page.
Get involved #bbcworldcuppublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Scott Gummerson:, external Interesting how Scolari uses the word 'cope' when referring to the loss Neymar and not 'win'. Psychological that says something.
Der Kaiser speakspublished at 17:25 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Funnily enough Franz Beckenbauer, Germany's coach on that night in Turin, has just told the Twitterverse, external what he thinks will happen tonight. And he's confident.
Image source, Beckenbauer/Twitter"The German team is in a good condition, reminds me of our WC team 1990. Tonight they will reach the final," reckons Der Kaiser.
Classic World Cup semi-finalspublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Image source, Getty ImagesSorry to bring this one up, England fans. This is how Germany's players celebrated one of their nation's most famous semi-final wins - by piling on top of goalkeeper Bodo Illgner. The Cologne keeper saved England left-back Stuart Pearce's penalty before Chris Waddle blazed over the crossbar to send Germany into the final. There, they beat Argentina to be crowned world champions for the third time - and they have not lifted the trophy since.
Classic World Cup semi-finalspublished at 17:11 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Image source, Getty ImagesThis was the game when Edson Arantes do Nascimento became a household name across the world. Or rather, Pele - as he is commonly known - became a household name across the world.
After netting Brazil's quarter-final winner against Wales, the 17-year-old Santos striker took centre stage again in the last four. Pele graced the back pages of newspapers from Stockholm to Sao Paulo after scoring a hat-trick as Brazil thrashed France to book a spot in the final.
Pass masterspublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Germany have been the best passers at this World Cup, making 2938 in total (the tournament average is 1458). Joachim Low's men have completed 698 short passes, 1997 medium passes and 243 long passes at a 82% completion rate.
Get involved #bbcworldcuppublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
jazzysaurusrex:, external Germany are the most experienced semi finalists left. Only a bit of bad luck will stop them from making the final.
Postpublished at 17:02 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Image source, Getty ImagesHow did that Germany side get to the final by the way? To put it kindly, it was hardly a vintage Die Mannschaft line-up. Meanwhile, Brazil had a stellar cast of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu....oh, and Leeds misfit Roque Junior. Here's how the sides lined up just under 12 years ago...
Brazil: Marcos, Edmilson, Lucio, Roque Junior, Cafu, Kleberson,Gilberto, Carlos, Ronaldinho (Juninho Paulista 85), Rivaldo,Ronaldo (Denilson 90).
Germany: Kahn, Linke, Ramelow, Metzelder, Frings, Schneider,Jeremies (Asamoah 77), Hamann, Bode (Ziege 84), Neuville,Klose (Bierhoff 73).
When two nations collidepublished at 16:54 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Two successful countries like Brazil and Germany must have met loads of times at the World Cup right? Wrong. Tonight's match in Belo Horizonte will be only the second time they have played each other in the tournament finals.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe other occasion was in the 2002 final at Yokohama in Japan - the original Ronaldo inspiring Brazil to a 2-0.
Luiz Felipe Scolari was the coach behind that Brazil win - but can Joachim Low's Germany spoil his hopes of a historic second triumph and this nation's burning desire for a sixth World Cup?
Postpublished at 16:48 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Thanks Gary - that's a timely reminder. And don't forget you can watch MOTD's coverage of Brazil v Germany right here on the BBC Sport website if you're online. The programme starts at 20:30 BST.
Plenty of time for Gary to chomp on a few eucalyptus sweets before then...
Postpublished at 16:43 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker:, external Massive game tonight on @BBCOne Brazil v Germany. More good news for you; I'm losing my voice.
Postpublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 8 July 2014
Image source, EPAOranje boss Van Gaal is also sure to be quizzed on the fitness of captain Robin van Persie. The Manchester United striker warmed up separately from the main group of players, along with defender Daryl Janmaat, during today's training session.