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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazilian fans got tangled up, wreaked havoc and dropped their heads on Friday after their national team was eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium
. the team is known, began to pick up speed, and the Brazilians have dared to hope that a victory could erase years of recession, political uncertainty and a humiliating defeat in Germany there is four years
"The World Cup allowed us," said Cristiano Conceicao, who works in a furniture store and watched the game with thousands of others in a traditional gathering place for fans of football, a stretch of several streets in Rio de Janeiro known as the Alzirao. "Break is over now."
Football is more than a simple game in Brazil, where it is at the center of the National identity But the World Cup in Russia has been a particularly welcome distraction.Brazil is just coming out of a deep and prolonged recession.It has lost confidence in its leaders while a corruption investigation. revealed endemic corruption within his political and corporate elite that shocked even the most cynical. Crime rises in many cities, many Brazilians believe that the last president has been unduly dismissed and the population is heading for national elections more divided than in the past.
The Brazilian team took a slow start. year, and his star Neymar has been criticized for not having met expectations. But as the strong teams were eliminated unexpectedly – among others Germany, Spain and Argentina – confidence began to rise in Brazil as the Selecao could win the title and serve the teams. memories of his defeat in semifinal against Germany Cup. There was a feeling that eventually the trend was turning – not only on the ground, but also in the overall fortunes of the country.
In the hours leading up to Friday's game, local media reported that Sao Paulo's roads experienced record congestion. work early and rush to get in position to look. Bars and squares were filling up regularly and people from airports to offices were looking for the nearest television.
On the Maua square in Rio, the groups started arriving three hours before the kickoff. They wore superhero outfits and draped themselves in the flag of Brazil. The atmosphere was festive and light, with the weekend and a hoped-for victory on the horizon. When Belgium scored twice in the first half, the atmosphere was tense. At the half-time, with a 2-0 record for Brazil, the crowd was exhausted, although some still shouted: "I believe!"
The mood improved when Brazil scored deep in the second half. The crowd burst, jumping and applauding;
When the final whistle burst, many hugged and cried.
A Globo Network reporter tore up saying that she was watching the game with family members of the players. She talked about how they never lost hope and even prayed at halftime. When she threw it at the anchor, he faltered.
But, on Maua Square, many were determined to continue the party, to dance and joke to relieve the pain of defeat
and courier services, this Gallows humor mark was evident. One picture lamented Brazil's inability to overcome Germany's defeat four years ago. On a picture of the German flag was written: "The enemy has not gone." Below is an image of the Belgian flag – which, like the German, has a black, yellow and red stripe – and the words: "It's disguised."
"We have always known that the World Cup would not solve our problems, "said Isabela Santos, a law student who watched the match in Alzirao. "But how nice it would have been to win it!"
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Sarah DiLorenzo, badociate press editor, contributed to this report from Sao Paulo
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