So often Brazilians talked about numbers. Numbers that mean the world of football to them. Seven games to eternity, seven games to the sixth world title. Then, after the 2-0 win against Serbia at the start: six more. After 1-0 against Switzerland: five. Four after the 0-1 against Cameroon. Three more after beating South Korea 4-1 in the round of 16. Since Friday evening, however, the Brazilian countdown has suddenly been set to zero. Expired. Without fireworks. Without another game. Untitled. It was sort of a nasty backfire. Brazil were eliminated from the quarter-finals of the World Cup after losing to Croatia on penalties.
Instead of playing the semi-final with the Superclásico against Argentina that many had expected, almost hoped for, Brazil is leaving early. Badly beaten. Struck deep. They wanted to be the bright final image with the bright yellow jerseys and the gold trophy. Instead: tears, disappointment, bewilderment. The mission is over – and unfinished. What happened at Education City Stadium in ar-Rayyan was heartbreaking. Neymar, the star who wanted to be crowned in Qatar, cried. Dani Alves tried to comfort. Thiago Silva joined. Some more. Even Leo, the son of Croatian Ivan Perišić. It did not help. It was a final picture with a mourning border.