Brazil Falls 3-0 in a Melancholy Farewell and Ends Its World Cup in 4th Place

07/14/2014 - 08h44

On the first day of preparation for the World Cup squad, technical coordinator Carlos Alberto Parreira announced that the team began the World Cup with one hand on the trophy.

The billionaire tournament ended on Saturday, June 12, for the team led by Luiz Felipe Scolari without any reason to celebrate and a succession of failures.

In front of a packed Mané Garrincha stadium, the squad was easily defeated by the Dutch 3-nil in the third place match. In the previous game last Tuesday, Brazil suffered the worst defeat in its history. They were beaten by Germany 7-1 at Mineirão.

In fourth place, the national team's World Cup ended with the worst exploitation of points in 40 years.

The lackluster campaign, which saw three wins, two draws and two defeats, left their leader Scolari with only a 52.4% success rate, the same as the 1974 World Cup - a World Cup in which Brazil also finished fourth.

Brazil also bid farewell to the World Cup as the host that allowed the most goals in Cup history with 14. Julius Caesar is the goalkeeper of the squad that took the most goals in World Cups with 18. He also played in the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

"We left at halftime losing. There's nothing to say," said Ramires, who was a starter in the game held in Brasilia.

Soon after the latest failure, Felipão, who led Brazil to its fifth championship in 2002, announced that he did his job. He must meet with CBF executives, but it's unlikely he will remain the national team's coach.

The Dutch play in the parting game erases the coach's theory that the rout in Belo Horizonte was caused by a "crash over six minutes", when the team was scored against four time in that period of time.

BOOS FOR FELIPÃO

Felipão was booed at the stadium as soon as the scoreboard plastered his image.

The coach went back to embracing the wrong tactics of misdirection. Yesterday, said he would make two or three changes in the team, which, however, became a field with six switches.

The squad again looked like a sandlot team. At the first push, the Netherlands scored. Robben was fouled outside the box by Thiago Silva, but the referee yielded a penalty. At the 2 min mark, Van Persie made it 1-0.

The crowd continued to support them, but Brazil remained lost. At 16 minutes, the defense failed again. David Luiz countered Blind on foot, who only dominated near the penalty spot and followed. At the beginning of the play, De Guzman was offside when receiving a pass and a crossover from Robben.

From there, the team fought back. At the base of the cross passes, goalkeeper Cillessen was given a jolt twice.

On the downside, the reserves ignored Felipão and began directing teammates. Even Neymar, who is recovering from a fracture in the third vertebra, rose from the bench and gave out tips.

In the second half, Felipão made some moves. Fernandinho was put in place of Luiz Gustavo. Shortly after, Hernanes joined Paulinho's place.

But the Brazilian team only managed some dangerous situations in individual plays. They had no schemes or set pieces.

In the end, at the 45th minute in the second half, Wijnaldum ended the scoring. "I do not have to say anything else," summarized midfielder Oscar, while leaving the Mane Garrincha stadium.

Translated by STEVE HUGHES

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