In some ways, this was worse than the 7-1. At least that semifinal defeat to Germany 11 years ago can be put down to an emotional collapse in a mad few minutes. But Brazil's 4-1 defeat to Argentina on Tuesday -- their heaviest loss to their rivals since 1964 -- was 90 minutes of unrelenting humiliation. The gulf between the two teams was frankly embarrassing.
Styles make fights, as the boxing writers like to say. This showdown in Buenos Aires was always going to be a clash of approaches -- a team who love to manoeuvre the ball around the midfield against an opponent who seem to regard central midfield as an optional extra.