Report says Luis Felipe Scolari steps down as Brazil coach after disappoiting World Cup finish

By Staff Writer | Jul 14, 2014 11:35 AM EDT

After Brazil's disappointing 3-0 loss to the Netherlands during its final and third-place match in this year's World Cup, Luis Felipe Scolari bid adieu to Brazil. Brazilian broadcaster Globo TV reported that the World Cup host nation's coach has resigned following his team's failure to win the tournament cup.

It was especially hard for Scolari, who had won the tournament in 2002 under his leadership. However, his capability in managing one of the best football squads in the world has been questioned thanks to its last two games in the tournament.

Scolari was forced in the spotlight when Brazil was defeated in an epic fashion by Germany at a 7-1 record score. BBC said it was the country's first home competitive defeat for 39 years and their joint-heaviest loss ever. Brazil also failed to win the third-place match that even Oranje coach Louis van Gaal has petitioned FIFA to scrap it, arguing that the match is a game played by the "losing" teams.

The British news agency said Brazil had been an early and heavy favorite ahead of the World Cup thanks to its glorious finish in the Confederations Cup in 2013, beating previous World Cup winners Spain at a 3-0 score in the final. Moreover, the host nation had finished first in the group stages, and had edged past Chile in their last-16 match thanks to penalty scores.

In the quarterfinals, poor refereeing and "hard tackling" had beleaguered its match against underdog Colombia. However, the match had been a costly one, as Brazil had lost its football star Neymar due to a career-threatening spine injury and captain Thiago Silva to suspension.

Before his resignation, Scolari has dubbed Brazil's match against Germany as the worst in his life and has asked forgiveness from the Brazilians. The Brazil Football Association (CBF) or any of the members of the team has yet to issue a statement about Scolari's resignation.

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