Brazilians cried, cursed their president and covered their faces in shame after their beloved football team's humiliating 7-1 thrashing by Germany in the World Cup semi-finals Tuesday.
After the fifth goal, well before half-time, hundreds of people left their expensive seats at the stadium in the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte.
A section of the crowd chanted sexually expletive obscenities against the players and President Dilma Rousseff, who during the cup had mostly enjoyed a reprieve from protests over the record US$11 billion spent to host the tournament.
The tears began well before the final whistle, with the third German goal in the first half causing children and adults to start balling in the stadium and in public screenings across the continent-sized nation.
As people streamed out, police reinforced security inside and around the stadium.
Others around the country shouted at their televisions and abandoned public screenings.
As the goals kept going in, a downpour only added to the already gloomy mood of thousands of fans in Brazil's canary-yellow jersey at the official "Fan Fest" on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach.
Two dozen fans scuffled, forcing police to intervene.
Brazilians were already concerned about the team's chances after their superstar forward Neymar broke a vertebrae in the quarter-final victory over Colombia.
But they never thought it would be this bad.
"This is a terrible match and Brazil without Neymar are terrible. I hate this match. It's embarrassing to lose like this," said Beth Araujo, 24, a biology student.
"The only good thing is I think it will affect President Dilma in the election. But all our politicians are even worse than the team," she said.
Rousseff said she was "very sad" and "sorry" about the result.
'It's a disaster'
Brazil had hoped to exorcise the ghost of its defeat to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, a national trauma dubbed the "Maracanazo" because it was played in the Maracana Stadium.
This time, TV commentators were talking of the "Mineirazo," after the Mineirao Stadium.
But Jessica Santos, a 23-year-old photo student, was taking the massacre in stride.
"The cup is back in Brazil for the first time in 64 years so of course we'll cheer until the end," she said. "If Brazil wins, we party, if Brazil loses, we still party. It would have been worse to lose to Argentina in the final."
At a popular night district of Sao Paulo, fans shouted insults at goalkeeper Julio Cesar and other players.
"I was afraid we would lose because we were without Neymar and Thiago Silva. But I never thought it would be a massacre," said Alexa Rosatti, 19, a university student. "I stopped watching for a second and they already had scored a sixth goal."
The insults against Rousseff, who is seeking re-election in October, showed that tensions remain following massive demonstrations that rocked the country last year when Brazilians demanded better health care and education.
Some Brazilians have voiced concerns that Brazil's failure to win the World Cup could spark more protests and clashes.
"It's a disaster. It will be chaos. People will break everything. They're going to be furious," said Karina Marques, a 17-year-old footballer who watched the game at a street screening in Rio attended by 30,000 people.
"The government spent a lot of money for this World Cup instead of investing in health and education."
AFP
Wed Jul 09 2014
A fan of Brazil cries at the Fan Fest public viewing event in Sao Paulo, Brazil. -AFP PHOTO/Miguel SCHINCARIOLorrea
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.