For Brazil fans, the ‘sadness is too much’ after World Cup exit

Croatia surprised top-ranked Brazil and their legions of followers after defeating the Brazilians 4-2 on penalties in Qatar.

Unhappy finish to the World Cup for Neymar who scored within the quarter-final [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

Doha, Qatar – Ask any Brazilian and they'll let you know that soccer isn't just a sport however a faith of its personal within the South American nation.

It might be an understatement to say Brazil’s gorgeous defeat to Croatia on Friday on the Qatar World Cup was merely a disappointment that followers of Selecao Canarinho will recover from in a number of days.

“The unhappiness is an excessive amount of. We had the most effective crew on the earth,” Brazil supporter Paolo Souza instructed Al Jazeera after the match at Training Metropolis Stadium.

“We have been very assured that we might win it this yr but it surely was not meant to be. The defeat is so painful,” mentioned the 37-year-old Brazilian.

Brazil followers mentioned the quarter-final loss was a “painful” one that can take a very long time to get better from [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

The five-time World Cup champions have been heading in the right direction to defeat the Balkan nation after Neymar scored within the first half of additional time, the sport’s first aim.

However, Croatia – shedding finalists on the 2018 World Cup – scored an equaliser within the closing minutes of additional time, ultimately rising victorious on penalties.

Brazilian supporters, who made up the overwhelming majority of followers on the stadium, arrived to the sport with heat, fervour and infectious music. However after the nail-biting recreation ended., there was no samba, no Surdao drum solos or tambourine performances however simply teams of Canarinho followers heading for the exists as unhappiness lingered within the air.

The look on their faces tells all of it as Brazil supporters watch the quarter-final between Brazil and Croatia at a FIFA fan zone in Doha, Qatar, on December 9, 2022 [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Brasilia resident Roger Oliviera mentioned that had the Brazil crew progressed, he and his companion would have finished all the pieces to attempt to keep for the semi-final.

“I'm heartbroken,” 49-year-old Oliveira mentioned, shaking his head. “This yr was purported to be our trophy. I might simply really feel it. I assumed Neymar had received it for us however that’s soccer. We love our crew however I’m glad I've 4 years to get better from this.”

The South American nation has not crushed a European crew within the knockout levels of the World Cup since 2002, which was the final time they received the World Cup.

‘Solely happiness’

Sao Paolo resident Carolina Disa, who was in tears after the match, mentioned her nine-year-old daughter known as on the cellphone crying from Brazil after the defeat.

“We by no means thought we'd lose. I'm so unhappy,” Disa, a mom of three, mentioned, including that soccer is “essential” for Brazilians and for some, it's the solely factor they “look ahead” to of their lives.

Brazil must wait one other 4 years earlier than they get one other likelihood to win their sixth World Cup [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

“Again dwelling we have now loads of poor folks. The one happiness they've is Brazilian soccer. We're very happy with our nationwide groups,” she added.

Disa’s husband, Diego, mentioned the couple would keep in Qatar till the top of the event on December 19. They've tickets to observe the semi-final and remaining.

“Proper now we're all cheering for each crew however Argentina,” he mentioned. “For us, Portugal is Brazil; Morocco is Brazil.”