This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
Much of the focus in Brazil is shifting back to the record 11-billion US dollars' bill to host the 2014 edition of the FIFA World Cup, following Tuesday night's crushing 7-1 semifinal defeat to Germany.
The country of 200 million people had hoped to win the title at home.
However, it is reported from Belo Horizonte that Brazil's exit from the World Cup is as close as it gets to a national trauma in a football-mad nation.
Pre-tournament protests against the cost of hosting the events faded away as soon as the first match was played, but it is expected that it will now be shoved to the forefront again.
During Tuesday night's match, a section of the crowd chanted obscenities at the Brazilian players and President Dilma Rousseff, who during the World Cup had mostly enjoyed a reprieve from protests.
In Sunday's final, Germany will play the winner of Wednesday night's second semi-final between Argentina and the Netherlands.
