Maracanazo again for Brazil after 64 years

For Brazilians, this was not part of the script. The hosts' 1-7 loss to Germany Tuesday did more than extinguish hopes of a sixth World Cup trophy.

The final scorecard says it all.

It killed off the nation's collective desire to seek retribution for the Selecao's defeat to Uruguay at the Maracana stadium 64 years ago, reports Xinhua.

The Maracanazo, as it has become to be known, cost Brazil their dream of World Cup glory on their own turf. It is still considered a national disaster, even by Brazilians too young to remember it.

This tournament, the first time the World Cup has returned to Brazil since 1950, represented a chance for Brazil to heal old wounds.

Instead, Germany ruthlessly reopened them.

In his column for Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo, renowned football journalist Juca Kfouri described the result as a "massacre".

German players celebrating after the massive win

"It was an unthinkable way for Germany to avenge the loss in 2002 (in the World Cup final)," Kfouri wrote. "Never has Brazilian football experienced such humiliation."

Even Germany coach Joachim Loew seemed to grasp the significance of the result.

"It's going to be hard for Brazilians to digest," Loew said. "The country has organised a great tournament but this result will be painful and difficult."

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted he would gain notoriety for leading Brazil to its worst defeat in their 100 years of competitive football.

"I will be remembered as the coach to lose 7-1 but I knew that risk when I took the job and life goes on. I apologize to the people." Scolari said.

That fateful day

Everything was set for the big game, and the hosts were expected to win the game comfortably to be crowned World Champions. So not many were surprised when they took the lead in the 47^th minute, but minutes later Uruguay equalised. But there wasn’t much cause for concern as all Brazil needed was a draw to be declared as champions.

But then came the shocking moment when Uruguay winger Alcides Ghiggia slotted in a goal with just eleven minutes remaining. The match was lost and with it the title went to Uruguay. This result sent shockwaves throughout the world and was considered as one of the biggest upsets ever.

Ghiggia made a famous quote following the result, “Down through its history, only three people have managed to silence the Maracana – the Pope, Frank Sinatra and me.”

Last night’s humiliation and shock will stand up right on top alongside the Uruguay result. Despite being the most successful team in World Cup history, the Brazilian fans will have to wait for a few more years until they can dream of winning a world title in their homeland.