“THE BIGGEST SHAME in history,” is how the website of the Rio de Janeiro-based Lance newspaper described Brazil’s 7-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Germany.
Hyperbolic it may be, nevertheless it gives a sense of the genuine levels of pain and embarrassment that the defeat prompted the nation to feel.
Former England international and professional football-watcher Gary Lineker called it “the most extraordinary night’s football I have ever witnessed” and everyone else watching was similarly awestruck.
After just 24 minutes, the game was effectively all over, as Toni Kroos had put Germany into a 3-0 lead. After 29 minutes, Sami Khedira put them 5-0 up, as Germany — not content with a mere win — appeared intent on humiliating their opponents with no shortage of beautiful football.
(Germany’s Miroslav Klose, second right, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal)
To put into perspective the scale of the shock, it was Brazil’s heaviest-ever World Cup defeat. It was also their first competitive loss at home in 39 years. It was something that almost literally never happens — and yet it did.
And yes, it was hardly a vintage incarnation of the five-times world champions, but they were far from no hopers. Brazil had reached the semi-finals after all, with a group of individuals who varied from world class (Thiago Silva) to solid but unspectacular (Ramires).
(Brazil’s Fernandinho reacts after Germany’s Toni Kroos scored his side’s third goal)
However, uniquely, a funereal atmosphere had beset the team even before the game. In the quarter-finals, Neymar — their star and best attacking player, and the only individual talented enough to warrant comparisons to the 1970 side or any of the Brazil teams of the past who valued flair over defensive discipline — suffered a tournament-ending back injury.
“Play for him!” the front page of Lance demanded in the lead up to the game, but unfortunately for Brazil, the setback seemingly had the opposite effect. Instead of inspiring them, it seemed to extinguish any vestige of self-belief they once held.
(Germany’s André Schürrle celebrates after scoring his side’s sixth goal)
The hosts emerged from the tunnel with the phrase “#ForcaNeymar” (“Be strong Neymar”) emblazoned on their matching baseball caps, yet strength was conspicuous by its absence from their game in the 90 minutes that followed, as the Germans proceeded to deliver a footballing tour de force.
But somewhat anomalously, my highlight of this one-team show involved both nations. It occurred in the 79th minute, when André Schürrle latched on to Thomas Müller’s inch-perfect cross, taking one touch before slamming the ball home expertly from the tightest of angles.
(A Brazil soccer fan weeps as she watches Germany score repeatedly)
It was the type of moment of brilliance that the home fans were more accustomed to seeing their side producing over the years, and how did they react? Rather than booing vitriolically, they stood up and admirably applauded this majestic piece of skill, evidently recognising greatness when they saw it.
By then of course, the Brazilians had long since accepted their fate. The uniqueness of the occasion ensured they remained in their seats until the bitter end. It was a footballing purgatory of sorts, yet by the time Schürrle had put the Germans in seventh heaven, the home fans’ angst had subsided and mutated into a strange calmness. Like their infamous 1950 World Cup final loss to Uruguay, it will never be forgotten, nor will any future victory be quite sweet enough to remove it entirely from the nation’s consciousness.
(Brazil players sink to their knees after the final whistle)
