Brazilian Misery

They made it to the semi finals and it wasn't enough. Humiliated though they were, there are nations in the world for whom to go that far is nothing but a far off dream. It's difficult to find the right balance in terms of a reaction. I feel sorry for the nightmare scenario in regard to their own teams capitulation, compounded by the fact that their bitter rivals can be crowned world champions tonight on Brazilian soil. A Germany win will do nothing to restore the pride of a nation, but it will ease the suffering; albeit momentarily.

Whatever happens from here on in, there is a point in history to which success and failure will always be traced back to. Strange things happen in football all the time but to see something unfold that was truly inconceivable was beyond words. Yesterday's game with Holland meant very little, even pride had fallen by the wayside before the half hour mark. If anything, given what had gone on before, it wouldn't have taken too much for that defeat to have been a lot greater. When losing by only three is some sort of consolation, things have definitely gone awry.

So what now? Players will be no doubt be jettisoned. Fred will unlikely wear the yellow of Brazil again, having been made the de facto scapegoat of the entire campaign. Perhaps it is unfair for the weight of the entire squad to be placed upon one man, no matter how wretched a tournament he had. If it is his cross to bare in favour of shielding someone like David Luiz from more warranted criticism and salvage what is left of his international reputation then perhaps some good will come of it.

Though it's no doubt a low point for Brazilian football, they are not alone in disappointment. Spain, England and Italy are in similar need of an upturn in fortunes but the fact that their recent failure has quite literally come so close to home that it resonates so loudly. There is a larger pool of talent there, untainted by what has just happened. After a tournament in which anything other than winning would have been unsuccessful, that burden may be lifted somewhat in Russia. There will always be pressure to do well, but perhaps now is the chance for Brazil to have some fun with their football once more. If they find their smile once again, they may be able to start the healing process.