Pity Brazil, for the historic pasting by Germany and for the weight that was slowly crushing them throughout the tournament. They were a middling bunch asked by a desperate nation to sprint past cheetahs.
According to the brackets I’ve collected, most people figured Germany could take Brazil even when Brazil was at full strength. While many on the Selecao are starters for top European clubs, none are the straw that stirs the drink. Even Neymar is probably the fifth best player on Barcelona.
In a soft draw in front of passionate fans, with occasionally generous refs, the cracks were papered over. But the team knew. They had tried to make up for the inability to pass by fouling the shit out of every opponent and riding Neymar’s coattails. Loss to the Germans was almost expected.
Without Neymar and Thiago Silva, the Selecao were bereft physically and psychologically. Only Neymar had the confidence for the big stage. The mental cracks showing in the Chile shootout were rent wide open.
Poor David Luiz and Fred and Willian. To carry a country’s highest hopes while being so middling in talent will make you lonely in a crowd of 11, will buckle your knees before the ball has even squirted through your legs.
