So often Brazilians talked about numbers.

Numbers that mean the world of football to them.

Seven games to eternity, seven games to the sixth world title.

Then, after the 2-0 win against Serbia at the start: six more.

After 1-0 against Switzerland: five.

Four after the 0-1 against Cameroon.

Three more after beating South Korea 4-1 in the round of 16.

Since Friday evening, however, the Brazilian countdown has suddenly been set to zero.

Expired.

Without fireworks.

Without another game.

Untitled.

It was sort of a nasty backfire.

Brazil were eliminated from the quarter-finals of the World Cup after losing to Croatia on penalties.

Tobias Rabe

Responsible editor for Sport Online.

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Instead of playing the semi-final with the Superclásico against Argentina that many had expected, almost hoped for, Brazil is leaving early.

Badly beaten.

Struck deep.

They wanted to be the bright final image with the bright yellow jerseys and the gold trophy.

Instead: tears, disappointment, bewilderment.

The mission is over - and unfinished.

What happened at Education City Stadium in ar-Rayyan was heartbreaking.

Neymar, the star who wanted to be crowned in Qatar, cried.

Dani Alves tried to comfort.

Thiago Silva joined.

Some more.

Even Leo, the son of Croatian Ivan Perišić.

It did not help.

It was a final picture with a mourning border.

Half an hour earlier everything had looked good.

Croatia had proved tough.

Not like brave South Koreans who let themselves be danced out in the first knockout round in the first half.

The Brazilians scored four goals.

After each one they performed a little dance.

Some saw disrespect in it, others just joy.

Neymar also danced again on Friday.

Not after his goal, but before it.

The one-two with Rodrygo was followed by another with Lucas Paquetá, a dance with the ball around the goalkeeper and the shot under the net to make it 1-0 in the 105th minute.

The high art of football led to great emotions.

"You have no words"

The fact that this shot was the beginning of the end was due to the Croatians, who never gave up.

It was also down to the Brazilians who weren't paying attention just before the end of extra time.

Mislav Oršić had plenty of space on the left and found Bruno Petkovic.

His right-footed shot from the back was easily deflected (117').

Penalties shoot.

Rodrygo missed Brazil's first try, Marquinhos their last.

Croatia celebrated reaching the semi-finals while Neymar collapsed in tears.

"We could have played more concentrated," said Thiago Silva, "it's incredibly difficult now.

It's very hard, you have no words.

I would have loved to have held up the World Cup.”

When the star cried, the trainer was gone.

Tite later explained two things.

That he would never have cheered on the lawn even after victories.

And his resignation.

That was agreed, his contract expires at the end of the year.

"Even if it's difficult: This is the end of my time, I keep my word," he said simply.

"The cycle is over.

We shouldn't make drama out of it.

I announced it for a long time.

There are enough people who can replace me.” Those were the closing words of a special coach.

Tite wowed in Qatar as a gentleman.

The mission of the sixth world title will be tackled by someone else in 2026.

He has been national coach since 2016, taking over from Dunga.

Tite stayed six years and won a title in 2019 at the Copa America.

At world championships, however, came 2018 and now the end in the quarterfinals.

He assessed failure with serenity.

"It's not about hero or villain.

This is football, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose," he said laconically.

"I understand that I bear the primary responsibility.

But I'm not solely responsible, we're all responsible.

“I understand everyone's pain and accept any criticism.

And I respect the result.”

However, he still had to moderate a controversy before his departure.

Why was Neymar chosen as the fifth penalty taker?

"The fifth penalty is crucial, that's where the pressure is greatest," said Tite.

"That's why the player with the most quality should compete." Provided that the fifth shooter still has his turn.

Because of the two failed attempts, the star was no longer allowed to compete.

Instead of resisting the pressure and converting his penalty, Neymar broke down in tears and so did the fans in a football-mad country that has been waiting for the title for twenty years and is now adding four more years of suffering.

Again a European team stopped the record world champion.

Since defeating Germany in the final in 2002, France (2006), the Netherlands (2010), Germany (2014), Belgium (2018) and now Croatia have been the terminus before winning the title.

The shock was deep when everything was over for the Brazilians nine days before the final.

"All defeats are painful, especially when you have a goal, a dream, have worked towards this moment for four years," said Casemiro: "It's difficult to find words.

We have to keep a clear head, life goes on.

We had it in our hands and the dream of a sixth title slipped away from us.”

Tite goes.

And Neymar?

The star is now 30 years old.

A World Cup is certainly still possible, but he was also completely distraught long after the last penalty hit the post.

"It's very early to talk about it.

I'm still too upset.

I don't close the door to the Seleção.

But I also don't guarantee 100 percent that I will return," he said disappointedly in the catacombs.

He will "have to analyze and think a bit about everything that is good for me, what is good for the Seleção".

The game was like a "nightmare" for him.

"I can't believe what happened."