For many they were the tournament favourites, ranked number one international team in the world with talent aplenty and with a team harmony which was clear to see from the outside world.
So, to fail to bring the World Cup 2022 title home was always going to be a massive blow, but to go out in the last eight in a match where they controlled long spells was extra hurtful.
This was a team which excited me – the SBOTOP World Cup 2022 betting odds fancied them too – and one which looked to have a genuine all-round depth and real flair as they aimed to end their 20-year wait for the world crown.
The hurt would only have increased dramatically as their arch-rivals Argentina went on to lift the trophy, even though some reports suggested some Brazilians were thrilled to see the famous gold goblet coming back to South America.
Despite failing to triumph though, manager Tite can hold his head up high as he departed the Selecao role after six years in the post.
They created World Cup highlights aplenty as they grappled with destiny.
There wasn’t much the manager could have done as they bowed out against Croatia, a side which had one shot on target – and a deflected one at that – in 120 minutes before prevailing in the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.
By the end of 90 minutes Brazil will have wondered how they were going into extra time, having had eight shots to none on target. But Croatia’s resistance finally broke when Brazil’s Number 10 turned on the style.
Tite’s men probably thought they had won it when Neymar scored a thumping effort to equal their international goalscoring record – his goal matching the great Pele’s record of 77.
However, it wasn’t to be and defeat meant Brazil have now lost their last six World Cup knockouts against European opposition, a run dating back to 2002 when they defeated Germany in the final.
Before that they had been responsible for many happy moments.
Pele was watching on from hospital in São Paulo when they dismantled South Korea in the last 16 where the class of 2022 produced the swagger associated with Brazil – joga bonito and all, they have always been a bit different.
And while there is no trio like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, Brazil had their own wealth of young attacking talent on show with Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius Jnr and Antony among the attacking options, even before you mention their talisman Neymar.
In a devastating performance which ripped South Korea to shreds and settled the contest well before half-time, I was salivating over the possibility of a Brazil-Argentina semi-final.
They hit the heights no other team had reached, until that point, demonstrating the level expected of world champions, producing a collection of goals constructed in their country’s best traditions.
Prior to that, they had been easing their way into the tournament.
They played a patient game to break down an organised Serbia rearguard in their opener before the massed ranks of their yellow-clad fans were rewarded with a Casemiro special against Switzerland.
With qualification assured, their defeat to Cameroon didn’t matter and then came Korea, an outstanding display of full power, sending a message to their rivals about what they would have to equal – at least – to win the trophy.
Then came the quarter-final against Croatia and, in cup football, it showed that one setback can be fatal.
Brazilian supporters, who made up the vast majority of fans at the stadium, arrived to the match with warmth, fervour and infectious music. But after the nail-biting ending, there was no samba, no Surdao drum solos or tambourine performances, just groups of Canarinho fans heading for the exits as sadness lingered in the air.
Overall, they didn’t do too much wrong and, with the nucleus of the current squad of an age where they could still be playing at the next World Cup in 2026, they will be back!
Football is too important to Brazilians not to bounce back!
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