Fans of Brazil's national soccer team react after the South Africa 2010 World Cup quarter final soccer match between Brazil and Netherlands at the Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro today.

Observer writer Erica Virtue is in Brazil and posted this story about the country's reaction to the national teams 2-1 quarter final loss earlier today!

BAHIA, Brazil Brazilian hearts broke today as the team which perfected its artistry and romanticised the beautiful game crashed out of the World Cup following the teams 2-1 loss to the Netherlands at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in South Africa.

Brazilian supporters in Bahia grieved openly.

Tears ran down a womans face as the match drew to a close and she refused to be comforted by the man holding the small child who cried with her as the referees whistle ended the South Americans' dream along with much of the world.

A Brazilian man's knees shook for the remainder of the game after the Dutch scored.

Still another had his hands stuck to his head for the last 10 minutes of the match and his pained expression was replaced with a distant look as the match ended.

Hotel staff moved stoically as the match drew to a close and they watched in disbelief as the referee's whistle blew their dreams away and the red eyes of the Brazilian commentators on Ao Vivo television station showed the pain of defeat in South Africa.

Brazil, which has participated in every World Cup final since inception of the championships, took the lead with nine minutes 14 seconds on the clock and loud and exuberant whoops exploded in the lobby of the Pestana Resort Hotel in Bahia state which is hosting the World Diabetes Summit.

Robinho, accepting a pass from Felipe Melo which split the Dutch defence, sent the football geniuses of South America into the lead. The score could have been wider at seven minutes 25 seconds into the game, when the first goal was scored but the linesman ruled it offside.

Disappointed oohhs rang out from the supporters who were decked out in the green, yellow and blue of the Brazilian flag.

An entertaining first half ensued and the Dutch sought to capitalise on counter attacks, without much success. However, spectators thought the South Americans should have been be up 2-0, when Kaka was brought down in the 18 yards box but the referee allowed the game to continue. Van Perse also had a chance to equalise before the first half ended but the chance was blown.

However, hearts stopped when on nine minutes into the second half, Felipe Melos attempt to clear a Dutch free kick ended in the back of the net giving the Dutch the equalising goal.

It was now 1-1 at minute 53 and the Dutch would make it 2-1 in the 67th minute when Sneijdners header beat goalkeeper Julius Cesar.

Brazil went numb and the writing appeared to have been on the wall, when Felipe Melo was red-carded for challenge and attempt to take the ball from the Dutch player on the ground. Post match analysis on Ao Vivo was focused on Melo who was the protagonist of this quarter final game and among those analysing the game was Emerson.

Brazilians who could find their voices swore in Portuguese, and the English translation of their swears cannot be repeated.

And when I found the waiter with the famous name (Carlos Alberto) he was a disaster. It was clear that he was weeping. At a time when it is said that big men dont cry, it appears that in Brazil they do over football and it is not just men.

Women and children mourned openly too at the same place four years ago.