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Brazil tries to come to grips with big WCup loss

Brazil supporters react after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Germany won the match 7-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Brazil supporters react after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Germany won the match 7-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Brazil supporters react after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. Germany won the match 7-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

By Associated Press 4 min read

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Catastrophic. Suffering. A Historic Humiliation.

Those were just some of the apocalyptic headlines Brazilian newspapers used online to describe the national soccer team’s stunning 7-1 drubbing by Germany in a World Cup semifinal match Tuesday.

Tears smudged the faces of children painted in Brazil canary and green colors. Brazil coach Felipe Scolari buried his face in his hands. Fans at watch parties across the country wailed in anguish.

In the hours after the shellacking seen by hundreds of millions of TV viewers around the globe, Brazilians struggled to come to grips with the unthinkable: Brazil suffered its worst World Cup loss ever – and it happened on their home turf, with the nation hosting the tournament for the first time in 64 years. Dreams of a sixth championship were shattered.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes! It was like the game was on replay,” said Valeria Mazure, a 67-year-old retired teacher drinking beer in Rio, and sporting Brazil’s colors in a green tunic and yellow scarf. “I’m feeling disappointed, sad, but more than anything I’m feeling embarrassed. It was embarrassing to watch.”