How Brazil’s World Cup disaster could change the nation

washingtonpost.com ^ | July 9, 2014 | Ishaan Tharoor

[Berlin_Freeper]

It was the most shocking defeat in the history of the World Cup. Brazil's 7-1 semifinal annihilation in Belo Horizonte at the hands of a faultless German side brought the host nation's tournament to a shuddering, horrifying end. After billions of dollars spent on stadiums, after years of build-up and preparation, after so much accrued expectation for soccer's most famed national team, no one could have conceived that it would suffer its worst ever World Cup loss. But it did.

The reaction in Brazil has been a mix of anger and despair. The front page of one of its leading dailies on Wednesday, bluntly read, "Shame, Grief, Humiliation."

Another headline read "Historic disgrace." The impact of such a monumental blow will likely echo for months and years to come. Here's how.

[Berlin_Freeper]

This sad Brazilian fan was shown crying. But no ones published this beautiful picture of him handing the trophy to a German fan. He was quoted as saying "Take it to the final! As you can see, it is not easy, but you deserve it, congratulations" (Roughly translated)

[mindburglar]

Brazil needed to play more of its Nazis.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Argentina beats Netherlands on penalty kicks to reach World Cup final vs. Germany
With rain falling and the entire stadium standing, the ticket to the World Cup title game came down to a distance of 12 yards and a series of guesses: Left or right? High or low? The Netherlands or Argentina? This time, the Dutch squad had no theatrics or surprises up its sleeve. There would be no substitutions, no miracles and, for the Netherlands, no return to the World Cup finale.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Which Nazis did they play?

[mindburglar]

None. That’s why they lost.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Match Highlights
Netherlands 2:4 P.S.O. Argentina

Photos

[Berlin_Freeper]

Brazil needed to play more of its Nazis.

Brazil needed to play their Nazis.

[okie01]

The Washington Post sayeth, on the one hand...

The Brazilian government hedged its bets with the World Cup, hoping victory in the tournament could boost popular goodwill for the government and quieten the chorus of protesters, angry at wasteful spending and the country's inability to provide much-needed improvements on infrastructure, health care and education.

But, on the other hand...

There have been reports throughout the tournament of anti-Rousseff chants flooding the stadiums, but it's worth noting that most of the Brazilians who could afford tickets to the matches -- affluent and overwhelmingly white -- represent a demographic that is largely opposed to Rousseff's welfare populism.

One wonders if the Post recognizes the conclusion they've unwittingly drawn here.

Capitalism works; welfare populism fails

[Berlin_Freeper]

Louis van Gaal says no-one wanted first penalty
"I asked two players to take the first ball before ending up with Vlaar," said new Manchester United boss Van Gaal.

[mindburglar]

Either is acceptable. I prefer its, since Brazil is a singular entity.

[mindburglar]

You are right, though, more was incorrect if they didn’t play any in the first place.

[GeronL]

Worst ever loss??

How many times have they not made it to the semi-final round? Wouldn’t those be worse losses??

[GeronL]

I hope Argentina loses and the commies get overthrown

[Berlin_Freeper]

The measure here is the margin of loss, which creates the humiliation factor and is therefor worse. Much much worse.

[GeronL]

In sports fannism I am numb to humiliation being a Dallas Cowboys fan. I guess I just won’t understand.

[Berlin_Freeper]

ISIS to FIFA: Cancel the World Cup or We’ll Bomb It [2022]
After the message was released on Sunday, it spread virally on social media platforms. Given the violent ongoing devastation by ISIS in Syria and Iraq, resulting in masses of dead bodies the Al Qaeda-inspired group leaves in their wake, what is perhaps most surprising about ISIS’s threat is its tone.

[GeronL]

Aren’t they a bit far from Brazil?

[Berlin_Freeper]

World Cup America? Why a Senator Cites ‘Fairness’ to Strip Qatar of 2022 Contest
With this year’s World Cup sparking renewed interest in soccer in the United States, a push is brewing to get another World Cup on U.S. soil – sooner rather than later.