Brazil defender David Luiz has apologised to "all the Brazilian people" after the host nation were knocked out of the World Cup in embarrassing fashion.

Germany were 5-0 up inside 29 minutes of the semi-final in Belo Horizonte and eventually ran out 7-1 winners, with the home crowd inside the Estadio Minerao booing the Selecao players off the pitch after the full-time whistle.

Luiz, who took the captain's armband in the absence of the suspended Thiago Silva, was quick to praise their opponents and express his unhappiness at the result.

He is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "Apologies to everybody, apologies to all the Brazilian people. I just wanted to see my people smile. We all know how important it was for me to see all of Brazil be happy, at least because of football.

"Germany were better than us. They prepared better. They played better. It's a very sad day but it's also a day from which to learn."

Luiz was seen to leave the pitch in tears after full time.

Written by
Chris O'Keefe