16-goal Klose overtakes Ronaldo as all-time top scorer
Klose sets history as he overtakes Brazil's Ronaldo as the all-time World Cup top scorer
SEMI-FINAL
BRAZIL 1
(Oscar 90)
GERMANY 7
(Thomas Mueller 11, Miroslav Klose 23, Toni Kroos 24, 26, Sami Khedira 29, Andre Schuerrle 69, 79)
In his fantasies, in those lazy, self-indulgent daydreams we all enjoy, Miroslav Klose might have expected some kind of fanfare for his record-breaking World Cup goal.
The adulation of the crowd, the chance to be carried around the pitch on the shoulders of his teammates.
A moment that would live forever in the global history of the game.
But, when it finally happened, it really wasn't even the most interesting thing that had happened this morning (Singapore time).
Klose is the greatest scorer in the history of the World Cup, 16 goals in total and surpassing former Brazil striker Ronaldo's 15, but that's not the story.
The German striker was withdrawn to polite applause just before the hour mark in Belo Horizonte.
His coach, Joachim Loew, gave him a handshake and a pat on the back, but his eyes were on the game as Brazil briefly threatened the most unlikely of comebacks.
If Klose is lucky, someone on the German FA might remember to buy him a nice gold watch or some other commemorative trinket.
But not this morning. Other matters take the lead.
But credit must be paid to the German striker for a record that most believed would remain intact for decades.
He must have thought that his chance had gone in 2010, when Loew chose not to select him for the play-off for third place against Uruguay, denying him a final chance to equal or break the record in South Africa.
But, with out-and-out strikers thin on the ground in Germany, Klose's experience was deemed a valuable asset again and, at the age of 36, he was once again called into service.
The previous record-holder Ronaldo was rightly concerned. He joked before the tournament that he didn't want Klose to play and to take his place in history.
For a while, it looked like he might get his wish. But then, Loew threw Klose on against Ghana in the group stage and the veteran scored almost immediately.
The record was shared.
LEADING THE LINE
Another appearance from the bench, this time without a goal, followed against the United States, before a complete tactical turnaround saw Klose lead the line against France in the second round.
On that occasion, he looked slow and tired, with a first touch that didn't bear thinking about. Loew replaced him in the second half and must have been tempted to leave him out for the semi-final.
But his faith held and Klose got his chance in the 23rd minute, slotting home at the second attempt when Julio Cesar had parried his first effort.
Klose has never been the most elegant striker, not the most gifted, but he has always been there.
He has always done his job, uncomplainingly like a quiet assassin. And now he has his reward.
This morning, no-one will mention it. That scoreline will loom over everything.
But, in years to come, Klose will look back on this morning, and that unspectacular goal, and he will reflect on a career well spent and a place in history well earned.
CLINICAL KLOSE’S 16 GOALS
World Cup 2002
Group stage: Germany 8 Saudi Arabia 0
(Klose 20, 25, 69)
Group stage: Germany 1 Ireland 1
(Klose 19)
Group stage: Cameroon 0 Germany 2
(Klose 79)
World Cup 2006
Group stage: Germany 4 Costa Rica 2
(Klose 17, 61)
Group stage: Ecuador 0 Germany 3
(Klose 4, 44)
Quarter-final: Germany 1 Argentina 1
(Klose 80, Germany win on penalties)
World Cup 2010
Group stage: Germany 4 Australia 0
(Klose 26)
Round of 16: Germany 4 England 1
(Klose 20)
Quarter-final: Argentina 0 Germany 4
(Klose 68, 89)
World Cup 2014
Group stage: Germany 2 Ghana 2
(Klose 71)
Semi-final: Brazil 1 Germany 7
(Klose 23)
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now