Brazil 1-7 Germany: Where are they now?

Germany ran
Germany ran riot against Brazil in the first half of the match

Germany defence

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Manuel Neuer

Germany v Argentina: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final
Manuel Neuer won the Golden Glove at the 2014 World Cup

There's nothing to say about this man that hasn't already been said. He was called upon in the second half when the Brazilians tried to hit back, with his highlight of the match being an incredible double save off Paulinho.

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Neuer was signed from Schalke for a reported fee of €20 million and has been present in Munich since. He's won five consecutive Bundesliga titles cementing his place as one of the best goalkeepers of all time.

He took up the mantle of captain for both Bayern and Germany following Lahm's retirement but is currently out injured for the German champions after a foot injury sustained in April.

Philippe Lahm

Borussia Dortmund v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Final
Philippe Lahm won the Champions League final at Wembley in 2013

The legendary right back/defensive midfielder is a one-club man, having spent his entire career at Bayern (except for a loan spell at Stuttgart), where he won an eye-popping eight Bundesliga titles and one Champions League.

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Lahm started off his career as a left back. Under Louis van Gaal in 2009, he was moved to his preferred position on the right and his performances meant that he was pretty much the first choice right up to his retirement.

He was also utilised as a defensive midfielder by Guardiola with the Spanish boss hailing him as "the most intelligent player" he had ever coached.

He retired following the end of last season, having won practically everything the game has to offer.

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Jerome Boateng

Northern Ireland v Germany - Group C: UEFA Euro 2016
Boateng has established himself as one of Germany finest defenders

It's amazing that at one point of time, Jerome was considered the worst footballer in his family. His brother (Kevin-Prince) was always thought to be more talented.

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Bayern signed him from Man City in 2011 for €13.5 million. Since then he's been a constant part of the Bayern and Germany setup having won 68 caps for his national team so far, and he's still only 29.

The signing of Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels means that his first team opportunities might be limited. But for a club like Bayern, having a world class defender like Boateng as a backup is crucial, especially, during fixture congestions towards the end of the season.

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Mats Hummels

Bayern Muenchen v Borussia Dortmund - Bundesliga
Hummels in action for Bayern against his former club

Hummels came through the youth system at Bayern before joining Dortmund for just €4 million, where he firmly established himself as a world-class centre back.

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Bayern re-signed him in 2016, two years after the World Cup, a move which drew a lot of criticism from Dortmund fans.

He experienced a lot of success with Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles, and coming agonisingly close to a Champions League title in 2013 when Dortmund lost 2-1 to Bayern in the final.

He is, without a doubt, both Bayern and Germany's best defender right now.

Benedikt Howedes

Germany v Argentina: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final
Howedes with the 2014 World Cup trophy

While he came through the ranks at Schalke primarily as a centre back, Howedes has mostly been utilised on the left for Germany.

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He had an impressive career at Schalke, winning the DFB Pokal in 2011, and made 240 appearances over 10 years. His aerial strength, strong tackling, composure on the ball, and versatility means that he's been used in a variety of positions in his career, including both fullback positions and defensive midfield.

This summer, he was signed by Juventus on loan as an intended replacement for Bonucci but hasn't made an appearance for them yet.

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Edited by Shambhu Ajith
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