FIFA World Cup: Brazil goes out like all blacks of the past

The modern drought of the Brazilian World Cup begins to reach proportions All Black

The Selecao are sometimes compared to the New Zealand rugby team, given the historical domination of their sports

. accurate – given the relative depth of football and rugby – but the shock when one or the other team comes out prematurely from his world cups is similar.

This is not supposed to happen and it's hard to understand when it does. It will be until 2022 to have another chance to win the biggest football trophy, 20 years after their last triumph in Japan and South Korea, after their 2-1 defeat to Belgium yesterday

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And like the All Blacks from 1991 to 2007, they seem to have misplaced the formula of success

After reaching three consecutive finals from 1994 to 2002, they are now out in the quarterfinals in three of the last four Cups. World, as well as a terrible 7-1 defeat against Germany in the semifinal of 2014.

Dreams died in Kazan in the most unexpected way.

after their record-breaking performance in qualifying and some football matches in the first half of Russia

More than 20,000 fans have invaded the city, located more than 800 km east of Moscow, in the reputed Republic of Tatarstan

. Hopes were high before the match. Some fans had paid more than US $ 4,000 for a "final package" of tickets.

Another Brazilian supporter was coming home last week but was so excited at the Frankfurt airport when news of Brazil was won. flight and returned to Russia.

"I had to come", she told the Herald sunday . "It's an opportunity to see the story … it's a very good team now."

The Brazilians invaded the main streets and squares of Kazan the day before the match, with their drums and dances, while the few hundred Belgians

The match began in a carnival atmosphere, as the passage of Brazil in the semi-final of St. Petersburg seemed to be a fait accompli .

But there were early signs of danger for Brazil. They missed three good chances, not reacting to balls falling into the penalty area but seeming to have the attitude, that another opportunity would come up.

Instead, Fernandinho scored his own bizarre goal, followed by Kevin De Bruyne after a blistering counterattack from Belgium.

Brazil was stunned. Their fans were silent for a while, unable to understand what they had seen. Brazil dominated possession but was guilty of trying to take the lock when sometimes the door had to be shot down. There were pretty intricate triangles on both flanks, but they were often of the Bermuda variety, i.e.

The South Americans were much better in the second half, helped by a change of tactics and some timely replacements.

With Renato Augusto's goal in the 76th minute, the yellow jerseys of the crowd went crazy, but Philippe Coutinho and Neymar missed subsequent opportunities that indicated that it was not their day.

And while Belgium was excellent, small things conspired against Brazil. Marcelo struggled against his return from injury.

There was also a good penalty scream in the second half, when Vincent Kompany seemed to sweep the legs of Gabriel Jesus, but the VAR panel found no fault.

But all too often, Brazil looked like a group of individuals, seeking Neymar to sparkle them, while Belgium was the unit par excellence. And they will be hard to beat from here.