After Brazilian midfielder Oscar rifled in his country’s first and only goal close to the end of their semifinal match against Germany, a faint cry rose from the overpopulated stands in Belo Horizonte yesterday.
The game commentator said it was the least celebrated goal in the 2014 Wold Cup which comes to an end on Sunday.
It was, in fact, not a cheering chant.
It was, more clearly, a thankful howl that the 7-1 massacre of the proud Brazilians was finally over.
* * *
There had been no mismatch as hideous as this in the history of the World Cup.
“The Brazilians,” noted the New York Times, “were throttled like an overmatched junior varsity squad that somehow strolled into the wrong game.”
In its most dreadful moment, with the strong, speedy, masterful Germans tearing the disguised Brazilian defense apart, the game also turned into a demonstration of how an unworthy squad should not play in an exacting world-class tournament.
Brazil, a super power in the sport, was promptly out of it after only the first 29 minutes when Germany riddled the hometown net with five incredible goals.
* * *
With Germany up, 5-0, forlorn Brazilian team devotees were seen heading for the exit during the break.
There was no stopping the massacre as Germany famously collected two more goals at resumption.
It was like a savage knockout in boxing—sharp, merciless, complete.
What would follow was a supreme moment of indignity.
With Germany now up 7-0, many Brazilian fans who bothered to stay were heard and seen cheering and goading the opponents’ sharp passing assaults.
* * *
There indeed was a flood of emotion that followed the tragic sidelining of Neymar, Brazil’s king of strikers, with a cracked vertebral bone.
Fifa next rejected the bid to have the suspended super defender Tiago Silva reinstated.
But after what had been displayed and seen during the Germany-Brazil mismatch in the 2014 World Cup semifinal, there so far has been no question on whether the presence of Neymar and Silva would’ve provided a distinct difference.
The grace, unity and raw power of the superior Germans were simply overwhelming.
* * *
As one German team mainstay admitted, he would’ve not believed it if he were told they would win with such shocking edge.
There were tearful kids, with the tiny Brazilian flag painted on their faces, weeping openly.
Out in Sao Paolo, national flags were reportedly being burned by disgusted Brazilian team followers even before the final whistle.
It was the worst day in his life, Brazil team mentor Scolari was quoted as saying before he could step out of the pitch.
What has Brazil done to merit this supreme savagery?
They have yet to get an answer from Pele, father of modern-day Brazilian football.