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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Leander Schaerlaeckens at New York New Jersey Stadium

Brazil’s World Cup exit raises a question: are they more a brand than a team?

Vinicius Jr in a yellow Brazil jersey sits alone on the pitch while an opposing team celebrates in the background
Vinicíus Júnior takes in his defeat to Norway on Sunday. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock

Brazil were 1-0 down. At first, a few yellow jerseys wandered up the aisles and out to the concourse, writing off the small fortunes they had invested in being here, never mind the chances of their nation lifting a sixth World Cup. Then it was a steady stream of Brazil fans heading to the exits.

They knew how this was going to end. That Brazil would be eliminated here in the last 16, knocked out at the earliest stage since 1990. That they would have gone six World Cups without lifting the trophy, their longest title drought.

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