Brazil 2014: "This defeat will devalue the football of Brazil in the eyes of its citizens" (Zaluar)

"This historic defeat, the result of a psychological collapse of the Brazilian team in the space of 25 minutes, will influence, in the short term, how Brazilians see their football and their championships," said Achilles Zaluar, minister-counsellor at the Brazilian Embassy in France, speaking to News Tank on 09/07/2014.

After Brazil were handed a 7-1 defeat by Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup (Brazil, from 12/06 to 13/07/2014) in Mineirão Stadium in Belo Horizonte on 08/07/2014, the Brazilian diplomat struck a measured note concerning the consequences. "We're angry," he said. "We're sad. But these feelings are mostly directed towards the Seleção and their athletic performance."

"The Brazilian people are positive about hosting the 2014 World Cup, and I think they will remain so, whatever the result of Brazil-Germany," he said. "The country proved to the world that it was capable of hosting the World Cup and of hosting a great party. Brazilians are proud of that."

Zaluar answered questions from News Tank.