Brazil Vs. Germany: Seleção Haven't Lost Competitive Match At Home Since 1975

Germany will have to overcome nearly 40 years of Brazilian dominance to achieve victory when the powerhouse soccer teams meet in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday.

For the past four decades, Brazil has been utterly dominant while playing competitive soccer in home territory. The Seleção are undefeated at home since 1975, when they lost to Peru in the semifinals of the Copa América. No current member of the Brazilian national team was alive in 1975, FiveThirtyEight notes.

Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has extended his nation’s dominance to the World Cup. Since Scolari took over the team in 2002, Brazil hasn't lost a single match in the international soccer tournament, the Independent reports.

Historically, home teams have enjoyed a significant advantage at the World Cup. In the past seven tournaments dating to 1990, host nations recorded 27 wins against just six losses and six draws.

Still, Brazil isn't entirely invincible; the 2014 World Cup hosts did lose a friendly against Paraguay in 2002. Furthermore, the team will compete against Germany on Tuesday without the services of star striker Neymar, who was tied for second among all World Cup players with four goals before a severe back injury forced him out of action, and team captain Thiago Silva, who will miss the match due to suspension.

Moreover, Germany constitutes a serious challenge to Brazil’s World Cup supremacy. Die Mannschaft cruised throughout group play with a plus-five goal differential and earned convincing victories over Algeria in the Round of 16 and France in the quarterfinals. Led by Thomas Müller and legendary forward Miroslav Klose, the Germans may have what it takes to bring Brazil’s home dominance to an end.

The 2014 World Cup semifinal match between Brazil and Germany will air at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN. Check out a preview of the contest here.