Diego Maradona: Brazil "gave an extremely poor image"

Former Argentina international Diego Maradona has criticised the Brazilian players for the performance that they put in against Germany last night.

A tight World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte had been anticipated, but the Germans were 5-0 up at the break, before going on to win the contest 7-1.

Reflecting on Brazil's heaviest ever World Cup defeat, Maradona told reporters: "I didn't like Brazil from the start, but I didn't think Germany were going to be so imposing, so devastating, so decisive.

"Brazil just didn't turn up and I think the worst thing for Brazil is that they gave an extremely poor image. Germany were strong but the Brazil players simply weren't on the pitch. I'm sorry because Brazil was so proud of its team, they wanted to reach the final, but football gives you these hammer-blows."

This evening, Maradona's Argentina will take on Holland for the right to meet Germany in Sunday's final.