When Germany annihilated Brazil 7-1 in the semifinal, Selecao fans the world over tried to console themselves with the pre-conceived notion that it was a one-off. But when The Netherlands thrashed the same side again 3-0 in the third place play-off on Saturday the moribund and loyal Brazil supporters had to accept the harsh reality -- that the weight of the famed golden shirt no longer evokes respect from opposing teams.
Actually Brazil's last two games were a classic case of predator-turned-prey. Imagine the five-time World Cup winners have conceded 12 goals, a feat only associated with teams who are primarily happy to be a part of the finals. Italy exited in the first round, so did 2010 champions Spain and England. France were eliminated from the quarterfinals. Those heavyweight departures were results not completely bolt from the blue. Brazil's performance in this World Cup however was not only a nightmare that will haunt their supporters for the rest of their lives; it may well herald a new world order sans the most decorated team in World Cup history if Brazil fail to rise from the ruins.
Brazil's defeat against the Dutch was confirmed even before the game reached the halfway mark. And after the final whistle Brazil players stood on the green top with their heads heavily hanging over their shoulders. They were actually trying to hide their blushed faces amidst deafening jeers and boos from their once-adoring fans, now ready to drown them in the Atlantic Ocean.
The last two games will certainly go down as a catastrophe in Brazil's footballing existence. There are a few scars that will never be erased. And the 7-1 German destruction is one of those scars that will haunt Brazil and its loyal fans as long they live. The follow up 3-0 defeat by Holland is a wake-up call for Brazil that a long road lies ahead if they are to revive their battered pride in the future. At the moment it all looks bleak for them with knives being wielded against a team that not only forgot how to play the beautiful game but also looked like a bunch of jokers playing one cruel joke on their fans after another. The brains behind these jokers is someone who won the fifth title for the Selecao in 2002. But rude as it may sound, Brazil fans will probably be ready to forego not only that fifth crown but the entire trophy cabinet to wipe out that 7-1 demolition.
The Brazil football team is loved worldwide not only because of its trophy cabinet but because of its entertaining brand of football that captivated friends and foes alike for years. For the moment the fans will lick their wounds over the course of the next four years with their fingers crossed for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Emotion may be misplaced on a field of sport, as too much of it has been part of Brazil's undoing in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in their own backyard, but well-wishers of Brazil will hope that Brazilian football feels the full force of the pain of this all-consuming debacle.