SAO PAULO, (Reuters) – Brazilian newspapers and websites were unanimous yesterday that the national team’s 7-1 hammering by Germany in the World Cup semi-final was the greatest shame in the country’s illustrious footballing history.
“Historic Disgrace” read the massive headline on the website of the Folha de S.Paulo, Brazil’s most influential newspaper.
Brazil is the only country to win the World Cup five times but the paper pointed out this was not just their biggest loss but the heaviest suffered by a host nation at the finals.
“Brazilian football was reduced to dust,” said main sports columnist Juca Kfouri, adding that Brazil was now one of two nations to have hosted and lost the World Cup twice.