With reason, Brazil's team and management lamented the ugly side of a game in which a low-ranked nation such as Wales tries to make up the quality gap by foul means. But what Luxemburgo was excusing Sunday were the tactics of intimidation, the systematic hacking and tripping by Brazilians to deny Peru any rhythm. Brazil had recalled the wild if sometimes wonderful Edmundo to attack. He didn't score, didn't appreciate that and was sent off for a vicious two-footed tackle. Antonio Carlos, the defender, did the only scoring for Brazil after 35 minutes.
Apologists say it is only misguided romantics who expect anything different.
The age of the Beautiful Game is dead. Winning ugly is preferable to trusting 11 Brazilians to outplay 11 Peruvians. I know that the modern world demands results. I understand that Luxemburgo would be vilified and dismissed if, like Tele Santana in 1990, he finished only third in a World Cup while attempting to restore the Beautiful Game. Poor, sad, remarkable Santana.