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Brazil’s loss Tuesday was a soul-crushing blow to the soccer-obsessed nation. Associated Press

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Brazil’s stunning 7-1 loss to Germany in Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal was a shocking setback for world soccer’s most successful team and a soul-crushing blow for a nation of 200 million that loves this sport more than any other.

Even some of Germany’s players said they struggled to process what was happening as they blitzed the five-time World Cup champions with five first-half goals.

“We had problems believing it was already 5-0 after a few minutes,” said midfielder Toni Kroos. “Against Brazil, a result like this isn’t expected.”

But for those who have watched Brazilian soccer’s recent development, Tuesday’s result wasn’t such a stunner.

In fact, it marked the culmination of a steady decline that has left international soccer’s most iconic team looking like a dinosaur in the modern game.

“We have to learn from this,” said Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. “We have to look at the details and see what it is that we can do different.”

The Brazilians didn’t invent soccer, but from 1958 to 1970, they pretty much perfected it. During that period, Brazil won the World Cup three times and did so while playing a graceful, free-flowing game that remains the benchmark for the rest of the world.

But the dazzling brand of soccer played by Pelé, Garrincha and Jairzinho has since become a burden. Brazil’s focus on individual skill and spontaneity is increasingly at odds with the disciplined, pass-and-move style of modern soccer.