Rio de Janeiro: Tears rolled down Paulo Gama’s face and his girlfriend sobbed in his arms as he stared in disbelief at the video screen on Copacabana beach.

The final whistle had signaled that Brazil — colossus of the football world and favourites to win the World Cup — was eliminated from the tournament in a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands.

Across the famous beach, heads bowed and many of the 20,000 people there crumpled to the white sand. Grandfathers holding babies cried. Brazil’s colours of canary yellow and green streaked down faces painted with the national flag. Children looked up to their mothers at the grief around them. “Tomorrow, the sun will not rise,” Gama said.

That was all he could say. It was all anyone could say in this land of Carnival and samba, where a passionate people mourn as acutely as they celebrate.

“It’s over. It’s over. I cannot believe that it is over,” said Luciano Barreto, using the Brazil jersey in his hand to wipe his face.

Earlier, when Brazil took a 1-0 lead and looked like they were cruising toward an easy victory, that same shirt was proudly waved in the air with the certainty of a win. (Agencies)