Striker Fred believes that the Brazil squad will be 'scarred for life' after they suffered an embarrassing 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

The host nation conceded five goals in the opening 29 minutes as they capitulated in Belo Horizonte, and Fred, who again under-performed in attack, considers the setback as the worst defeat of his career.

The 30-year-old is quoted by SporTV as saying: "It's certainly the worst defeat of my career, all players experienced this time of sadness. We made the worst game of our lives and Germany made the best of their lives.

"It is a moment of great sadness and disappointment, but we'll have to hold on to people who will help us in these difficult times that we are going through now.

"It is a scar that will forever live in all of our lives, but we will have to seek a higher power to pass such adversity."

The loss was the first time that Brazil had been beaten on home soil since 1975.