We’re not ones to put much stock in omens – we’ll happily walk under a ladder while smashing a mirror and petting a black cat that has crossed our path.
But, if nothing else, Brazil’s exit from the Copa America on Sunday night is a timely reminder that injustice does not discriminate – it will strike down a five-time world champion as quickly as a plucky island nation from the edge of Europe.
The Republic of Ireland’s training session on Sunday ahead of the Euro 2016 opener with Sweden marked their first visit to the Stade de France since the 2010 World Cup defeat to France.
At the preceding press conference captain Robbie Keane – who along with Shay Given, John O’Shea, Glenn Whelan and Aiden McGeady are veterans of that 2009 trip to Paris still in the current squad – said he did not want to dwell on the past.
Quite right, Keano, but when you see a little bit of history repeating itself in the United States it makes you think. Brazil crashed out of the Copa America Centenario in the group stages after a 1-0 defeat to lowly Peru.
Dunga’s team only needed a draw against the side ranked 48th in the world, but instead they lost 1-0 after Raúl Ruidíaz quite blatantly punched the ball into the net from close range in the greatest controversy Gillette Stadium has seen since the New England Patriots let some air out of their balls.
While Ruidiaz finished this move himself instead of passing to an accomplice he did at least have the decency to handle the ball just the once. Unlike a certain Thierry Henry. He gave it a right wallop though.
See the two handballs below if you wish to compare and contrast.
Quite famously, referee Martin Hansson held no truck with Irish protests back in 2009, but the referee in Massachusetts last night, Andres Cunha, thought long and hard before letting the ersatz goal stand.
Cue bedlam and Brazilian conniptions.
