I still can’t quite tell what I liked most about the German team last night. But here are four lessons:

1. The Germans came to the game with clinical seriousness. Even as they scored goal after goal, they seemed so restrained, unwilling to get lost in the cloud of glee. They were on the pitch for epic business, and the job was not done until they heard the blast of the final whistle. Lesson: Your mental attitude is as important as your skills.

2. While the Brazilians seemed utterly bereaved without their star striker, Neymar, the Germans recognized that football is ultimately a team game. In an excellent team skills are disaggregated and then tightly pulled from different directions towards a common goal. Lesson: Build a team such that no one is indispensable, and no member’s absence is inconsolably mourned.


3. Before the game, there was much talk in Brazil – from the President way down to the streets – on how World Cup 2014 was certainly a Brazilian cup to win – “We are Brazil”. This was probably good for the mood of a host nation. But it could prove disastrous for any team that comes to the field with a sense of inevitability. There is a reason psychologists accompany football teams: to warn them of the dangers of hubris. The Germans played the game with the mind of an insurgent team. Lesson: Play or work your heart out, and don’t be over-confident.

4. The Brazilians started the game with what looked like effusive prayers to God. I was mildly amused by their superstition. I often wonder why teams do this. God was neutral, and was probably anxious to enjoy a good game by the best team! Lesson: Put your superstitions aside. He created you in his image, so you came already blessed. Now, get to work! God is looking up to you. It’s up to you to win, not God.