Brazil Brought Crashing Down to Earth with Copa America Elimination

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 13, 2016

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Well, it wasn't supposed to go like this. With a point against Peru, who hadn't beaten Brazil in a competitive fixture for over three decades, Brazil would have advanced as group leaders to the knockout stages of the Copa America Centenario.

That would have set up another no doubt fiery meeting with Colombia on Friday. Instead, the Selecao were dumped out of the continental competition following a 1-0 defeat and an enormously controversial goal, leaving coach Dunga's reign hanging by the slenderest of threads.

Whatever the circumstances, and by God the goal was about as clear a handball as you could wish to see, Brazil nevertheless failed to find the net against once again-limited opponents. The side lost focus after falling behind and failing to lay siege to the Peruvian goal.

It is the first time since 1987 that Brazil have been eliminated at this stage of the competition. The humbling of the nation that once seemed nailed on being remembered as the pioneers and guardians of all things "o jogo bonito" seemingly knows no bounds.



Brazil could not have been handed a more straightforward group if they had hand-picked their opponents. When drawn with Ecuador, Haiti and Peru, the idea that Brazil would be on their way home less than 10 days into this 100-year celebration could not have been envisaged in many corners.

Instead, in two of those games Brazil failed to score, and Dunga's own brand of pragmatic, results-first football is now being called into question more fervently than ever. Having selected Lucas Lima to replace the suspended Casemiro and reverting to a 4-2-3-1, the side lacked the balance afforded by a genuine holding presence.

The side lacked conviction despite the plethora of creative talent on the pitch, and the buck must stop with the man in the dugout. For once, even Dunga looked lost for words on the touchline.



Raul Riudiaz's goal, converted from a ri...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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