Brazil Must Acknowledge World Cup Failure to Make Progress

In all walks of life there are turning points. Moments that force you to stop, contemplate what has gone and fundamentally shape the future.

On a personal level that kind of event may be marriage, parenthood, achieving a career goal. An occasion that marks the “then” and “now” of an epic journey.

For Brazil and their incredibly successful national side, one such moment came on July 8, 2014. On that fateful evening, the five-time world champions suffered the most humiliating result in their history, a 7-1 mauling at the hands of Germany in the World Cup semi-final.

It was the most one-sided semi-final result in the tournament's history. And to rub salt into an already gaping wound, Brazil's quest to rid themselves of the 1950 ghosts and be crowned world champions on their own soil had been wiped out in less than half an hour of the contest.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

The result sent shock waves through the Brazilian media. Comparisons were instantly made with that 1950 final defeat to Uruguay: Which was worse, which crushing defeat more humiliating?

But beyond the hyperbolic negativity, perhaps there was a beacon of hope. Now, there was a chance to step back, assess where Brazil really stood in the present day and what could be done to amend the decline which had seen them overtaken by the slick pass-and-move football of the Spaniards and the Germans, who between them have won four successive major international tournaments.

Brazil needed a change of direction, but more than anything they needed an acknowledgement that they could no longer consider themselves among the front-runners in the global game. An admission that the most successful nation in World Cup history was now playing catch up.

Which makes Carlos Alberto Parreira's comments to Brazilian sports show Redacao SporTV all the more disappointing (link in Portuguese). Parreira was Luiz Felipe Scolari's technical co-ordinator during his second spell as Selecao boss, and was integral to the country's preparations for the FIFA tournament.

Gallo Images/Getty Images

His views, therefore, on just what went wrong at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte were eagerly anticipated. Maybe he could shed some light on what could have been done differently, where Brazil fell down in respect to their European opponents.

Instead, Parreira was glib in the extreme, mentioning on more than one occasion there was no way of explaining Germany's win by a margin of six goals. Germany's well-oiled midfield machine, Brazil's overambitious tactics which left a holding pair of Luiz Gustavo and Fernandinho horribly exposed was all glossed over with a shrug.

It was both frightening to hear someone who was entrusted with Brazil's World Cup mission speaking in such flippant tones, and a relief that he is no longer part of the Selecao furniture.

Amongst explanations offered was the physical condition of the players and the fact that the squad had only 14 days together, as if this was a problem solely faced by Brazil and not the other 31 competing nations.

Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Parreira went on to single out David Luiz, Paulinho, Oscar and Willian as players who were out of match rhythm due to not playing regular football with their clubs. Of them, only Luiz and Oscar were first-choice at the tournament.

Brazil's problems went, and indeed go, far deeper than a collection of ready-made one-liners. New boss Dunga, famed for his no-nonsense attitude which was emphasised so effectively in his playing style, at least appears to have the courage to tackle these issues head on.

Because burying heads in the sand and pretending everything is fine just papers over the cracks. There has been talk in the Brazilian media over a possible friendly with Germany in which the Selecao could extract “revenge,” as CBF president Jose Maria Marin described it, as reported by UOL Esporte (link in Portuguese).

But there is no revenge to be sought. Germany are champions of the world. No friendly is going to change that fact.

Thankfully for Brazil, they are now headed in the right direction. That turning point has been reached and has influenced a much-needed change in playing philosophy.

Heaven knows it was vital. Offering no explanation and passing off humiliation as a one-off, that could be wiped out with victory in a friendly, will get this group nowhere.