Brazil has always had an identity crisis. A third world country with beautiful beaches and enormous natural resources but never quite realizing its potential.
In the 1960s Charles DeGaule mockingly said: : "Brazil is the country of the future and always will be."
Recently, there has been an upturn in the economy but the majority of that wealth has stayed in the upper classes. Traffic in Sao Paulo is absolutely insane; Their Polititians make ours look honest. Right next store to multi-million dollar beach condos are some of the worst slums on the planet. Brazil is a basket case.
But when it comes to soccer, Brazil has always been world class. Their teams have been at the top or near the top for decades. Soccer symbolizes national pride. On the field at least, Brazil could compete with anyone.
It may be hard for the rest of the world to understand but for many in Brazil the lopsided loss to Germany is a national disaster of epic proportions.