Brazilian Football Fans Unable Bear The Sadness Of World Cup Exit

Football is the most popular sport in Brazil and a prominent part of the country’s national identity. The country's religious devotion to football is well-known around the world.

To say that Brazil's shocking World Cup loss to Croatia on Friday, Dec. 9, was just a disappointment for supporters of Selecao Canarinho would be an understatement.

“The sadness is too much. We had the best team in the world,” Brazil supporter Paolo Souza told Al Jazeera after the match at Education City Stadium.

Neymar's goal in the first half of extra time put the five-time World Cup champions on track to defeat the Balkan country.

However, Croatia, the 2018 World Cup's losing finalists, equalized in the waning seconds of extra time, ultimately winning on penalties.

The large majority of the stadium's spectators were Brazilian supporters. As usual, they arrived at the game with fervor, warmth, and contagious music. But after the thrilling game, there was no samba, no Surdao drum solos, and no tambourine shows, instead, there were just crowds of Canarinho supporters leaving as sadness permeated the atmosphere.

Roger Oliviera, a native of Brasilia, claimed that if the Brazilian team had advanced, he and his companion would have done everything in their power to attend the semi-final.

Since 2002, when they last won the World Cup, the South American nation has not defeated a European team in the World Cup knockout rounds.

Carolina Disa, a resident of Sao Paolo, was in tears after the game and claimed that her nine-year-old daughter had contacted her sobbing from Brazil following the loss.

“We never thought we would lose. I am so sad,” Disa, a mother of three, said, adding that football is “very important” for Brazilians, and for some, it is the only thing they “look forward” to in their lives.

“Back home we have a lot of poor people. The only happiness they have is Brazilian football. We are very proud of our national teams,” she added.

Disa’s husband, Diego, said the couple would stay in Qatar until the end of the tournament on Dec. 19. They have tickets to watch the semi-final and final.