<p>Brazil, under the tutelage of Dorival as head coach, entered the 2024 Copa America as one of the main favorites alongside reigning winners Argentina. As nine-time champions, expectations were high for the Seleção. However, their journey ended in disappointment, exiting in the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/uruguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Uruguay</a>. This performance was a stark contrast to their historical dominance in the tournament; leaving fans and analysts to wonder: <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america/when-was-the-last-time-brazil-was-this-poor/">where did it all go wrong</a>?</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a>’s campaign began with a series of underwhelming performances in the group stage. An opening 0-0 draw with Costa Rica set the tone for a lackluster run. Following this, they managed their lone convincing win, a 4-1 triumph against Paraguay, and a 1-1 draw with Colombia in the last match. These results placed them in a less favorable position, forcing them into a challenging quarterfinal against Uruguay instead of a potentially easier match against Panama.</p>



<p>With a player sent off, Uruguay managed to hold the Little Canary to a scoreless draw in their quarterfinal encounter. The game went to penalties, where Brazil lost 4-2. Eder Militao and Douglas Luiz missed their spot-kicks, encapsulating the team’s struggles throughout the tournament. This defeat underscored the need for a more cohesive and effective strategy moving forward.</p>



<h2>What did Dorival Junior say?</h2>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/the-wait-is-over-brazil-to-announce-new-national-team-coach-20240108-WST-481925.html">Dorival Junior</a>, who took over as head coach in January, faced significant scrutiny. With only eight matches under his belt, he has been tasked with rebuilding the team. His decision to leave out several big names due to form or fitness issues, including Neymar, who missed almost the entire previous season due to injury, drew mixed reactions.</p>



<p>Dorival has now emphasized the need for patience and time to complete the rebuild, pointing to the long-term benefits of such a process. “We have a lot of room to continue growing, evolving, improving and our main objective now is to qualify for the World Cup. Right now we are sixth in the standings, we are not comfortable with that,” <a href="https://www.beinsports.com/en-nz/football/copa-america/articles-video/dorival-junior-urges-patience-with-brazil-rebuild-2024-07-07" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he said</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240710_WST_515538_Dorival-Copa-1200x675_18d0564c.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-515567" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Dorival-Copa.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>“I think the Uruguayan national team has a pattern, a very well-defined pattern. They have been working for a long time together. They had some problems at first, they corrected them. Now they are finding great results. I think we will achieve all that as well, not a doubt about it, but we need some time to make such corrections.</p>



<p>“We had some issues at the beginning of the tournament. I think we corrected plenty of mistakes. It is tough given the period of time that we had to work to try to speed up the process. I think we’ll have some more time in the future.”</p>



<h2>Huge pressure on Dorival with Brazil</h2>



<p>The nation’s aspirations were placed on the shoulders of Real Madrid winger <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america/2026-world-cup-woes-vinicius-joins-copa-america-pitch-critics/">Vinicius</a>, who they saw as the inevitable heir to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/neymar-done-for-season-after-requiring-ankle-surgery-20230306-WST-422416.html">Neymar</a>. However, he struggled to make a significant impact in the tournament. This lack of influence from a key player highlighted the broader issues within the team, including a disjointed and inconsistent attack.</p>



<p>Brazil’s storied history in international soccer comes with immense pressure. With five <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a> wins under their belts, the country tends to see every setback with alarm. This expectation can create a challenging environment for players and coaches alike. Dorival is acutely aware of this dynamic. He has called for patience and support as he works to guide the team through this transitional period.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Copa América 2024</h3>
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Here are some resources to get you ready for Copa!</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america-tv-schedule/"><strong>Copa América Schedule:</strong></a> Full schedule of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america-tv-schedule/">all games</a> for the 2024 tournament</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-pits-usa-against-uruguay-panama-and-bolivia-20231208-WST-475848.html"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We break down <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-pits-usa-against-uruguay-panama-and-bolivia-20231208-WST-475848.html">each Copa América group</a></div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-2024-bracket-free-download-20231208-WST-473617.html"><strong>Tournament Bracket:</strong></a> Track the action with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-2024-bracket-free-download-20231208-WST-473617.html">FREE printable Copa bracket</a></div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-copa-america-on-us-tv/"><strong>How to watch:</strong></a> Information on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-copa-america-on-us-tv/">where to find the games</a> on TV and streaming</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-to-stream-copa-america-2024-20240107-WST-481040.html"><strong>How to Stream</strong></a> Learn how you can <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-to-stream-copa-america-2024-20240107-WST-481040.html">stream Copa games</a> live in 2024</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-dates-20231127-WST-473122.html"><strong>Key Dates:</strong></a> Learn <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/copa-america-dates-20231127-WST-473122.html">All the important dates</a> to mark on your calendar</div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2024-copa-america-to-be-hosted-in-united-states-20230127-WST-417271.html"><strong>Copa (United States of) América:</strong></a> South America&apos;s biggest tournament <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2024-copa-america-to-be-hosted-in-united-states-20230127-WST-417271.html">comes back to the USA</a></div>
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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/biggest-soccer-events-in-2024-mark-your-calendars-20231025-WST-464504.html"><strong>2024 Soccer Calendar:</strong></a> Get the lowdown on what will be <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/biggest-soccer-events-in-2024-mark-your-calendars-20231025-WST-464504.html">a busy year in soccer</a></div>
</div>

Brazil rebuild: Dorival asks for patience after Copa America exit

Brazil, under the tutelage of Dorival as head coach, entered the 2024 Copa America as one of the main favorites alongside Argentina.

<p>Brazil’s shootout loss against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/uruguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Uruguay</a> was two things — dull and morbid. Without star player Vinicius, out through yellow card suspension, and Neymar, who injured his knee in March, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> looked utterly lost as they battled to an ugly 0-0 draw with Uruguay. </p>



<p>Without the two, Brazil looked predictable and stale. Teenage phenom Endrick was stranded between a physical backline and only completed two passes. The team’s double pivot in Joao Gomes and Bruno Guimaraes looked unconfident when passing the ball forward. </p>



<p>Lucas Paquetá looked like the only creative player on the field, the only one who looked upfield and generated chances. It made for a dull game of Brazil swinging the ball to the wing and crossing it into the box or simply taking long shots from 30 yards out. Brazil was tentative and dull.</p>



<p>And it seemed morbid to watch Uruguay, nearly 30 minutes removed from losing a defender through a red card, confidently stroll past Brazil in penalties. It felt like the risk-taking, samba-style Brazil squad we know was dead. Brazil focused on controlling the ball and drawing chances through set-piece situations, not dribbling and flair. Manuel Ugarte’s confident penalty not only put Uruguay through to the semifinals but shattered Brazil’s identity.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Endrick played the full 90 minutes and completed one pass. Can you guess which one it was?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/URUBRA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#URUBRA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/DHndKjPcCc">pic.twitter.com/DHndKjPcCc</a></p>— Opta Analyst US (@OptaAnalystUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaAnalystUS/status/1809784304198692980?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Loss evokes memories of Mineirazo</h2>



<p>There will never be a more brutal loss for Brazil in recent memory than <em>that </em>Saturday in 2014. Brazil’s <a href="https://theanalyst.com/na/2022/07/brazil-1-7-germany-stats-story/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7-1 loss</a> against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a> is one of the most tragic, embarrassing losses in the history of soccer. It was their biggest defeat ever and a national embarrassment. They were fundamentally picked apart in the World Cup semi-finals in front of 58,000 rabid fans. </p>



<p>Although Brazil was missing captain Thiago Silva and star player Neymar, they started the match well with a period of back-and-forth play. However, they lost control after Thomas Muller scored within the first 20 minutes. Brazil failed to control the ball and fell apart under the pressure of their home crowd, conceding four goals within six minutes. Andre Schürlle would later score two second-half goals to make it 7-0.</p>



<p>Oscar finally got a goal for the Selecao after latching on to a long ball at the edge of the box, cutting past Jerome Boateng, and shooting past Manuel Neuer with one of the last kicks of the game. Only seconds after, the referee would blow his full-time whistle, and Brazil would collapse in tears. Brazil’s David Luiz sobbing and wiping his tears after the full-time whistle became emblematic of the match — a sad Brazil left to pick up the pieces of one of their worst moments in their 108-year career.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240709_WST_515293_Brazil-1-1200x675_cec4b1b7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-515357" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>On the tenth anniversary of Mineirazo, you can only look back at a shattered legacy. Murky memories emerge when discussing the loss. To some, it’s a blur, with the match happening so fast they couldn’t comprehend it. To others, it was like slow-motion, watching Germany so efficiently and calculated murder Brazil seemed traumatic. But, the one objectively true thing is manager Luis Scolari didn’t set this team up to succeed.</p>



<p>The main cause of this catastrophe is the fact that Brazil, despite all of its technically gifted players, couldn’t keep the ball. Scolari started Fernandinho and Luis Gustavo in the double pivot, while opting to start attacking midfielder Oscar in his absence. Oscar was forced out of position by the strong German defense, leaving the duo to contend with Germany’s elite midfield by themselves. That, and a backline that made uncharacteristic mistakes, led to Germany both controlling possession and easily exploiting the holes in Brazil’s defense.</p>



<h2>Brazil reaches a crossroads with Uruguay loss</h2>



<p>We saw similar tactical errors as Brazil looked outclassed in all phases of the match. </p>



<p>With Vinicius’ suspension, manager Dorival switched starting striker Rodrygo to his preferred spot on the left. He then called up teenage star Endrick from the bench to start as a striker. Endrick, who can play as a secondary striker, an attacking midfielder, and more, played the role of a penalty-box poacher against Brazil, tasked with winning headers over Ronald Araujo and Cristian Romero. </p>



<p>He’s best when dropping deep and linking play, but with the way Dorival used him, Brazil might as well have played with ten men.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240709_WST_515293_Brazil-2-1200x675_1d2c64e7.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-515359" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Brazil-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>Brazil’s backline, although untested under pressure, gave way in transition. They faced lapses of concentration, allowing the Uruguayan players to make especially piercing runs onto long balls. The best chance of the game, Nández’s first-half cross to Darwin Nunez, came partly because Eder Militao lost track of Nunez, who sneakily ran behind him to latch on to the cross.</p>



<p>With a three-man midfield, you ordinarily have a creative player (think Paquetá), an anchor who primarily defends (Casemiro), and a box-to-box midfielder with stamina who can put in a reasonable amount of effort on both ends (Guimaraes). However, it seemed the double pivot of Guimaraes and Gomes sank back into their defensive ways. They rarely got up to join the attack, instead minimizing the risk of a counter-attack.</p>



<p>“The midfield is rubbish, do they even know how to play football? Paquetá knows, but he wants to fight,” World Cup-winning midfielder Gérson said. “João Gomes does not know how to play football and Bruno Guimarães only wants to foul. This is ugly. Everything must change.”</p>



<p>Now out of Copa America, Brazil will set their eyes on World Cup qualifying, with a 23rd-straight berth on the horizon. However, they rest at sixth, just two points from a potential intra-confederation play-off. They will need positive results against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/ecuador-national-team-tv-schedule/">Ecuador</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/paraguay-national-team-tv-schedule/">Paraguay</a> during the September international window.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

When was the last time Brazil was this poor?

Brazil's shootout loss to Uruguay revealed a divergence from their samba style and tactical inconsistencies. It's the worst they've looked.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Dorival"

Copa America 2024

Brazil rebuild: Dorival asks for patience after Copa America exit

Copa America 2024

When was the last time Brazil was this poor?