It's the morning after in Brazil and perhaps the nation might not quite be in mourning yet after a shock 0-0 draw with a resolute Mexico last night in Fortaleza.
Gabrielle Ochoa, Mexico's goalkeeper who plays his club football for newly relegated French Ligue 1 side Ajaccio, was the man of the match as he made save after save from Oscar, Neymar, Bernard, Paulinho, Kaka, Rivaldo, Pele, etc.
Ochoa's best save was definitely the one where he palmed away Neymar's header which was set for goal - it was definitely the best save of this World Cup and one of the best we've seen in a Finals.
Brazil struggled to break down a resolute and efficient Mexico side who were not bad going forward and had chances to repeat their shock in the 2012 Olympics Gold Medal final at Wembley. Mexico are definitely a much improved side from the one that just about struggled to qualify for the World Cup Finals and it showed with this display in defence.
It will frustrate coach Luis Felipe Scolari and the nation that Brazil's talented attack seemed devoid of ideas against a Mexican side that is really a bit part team. Questions must be asked about where the goals will come from besides Neymar - Fred and Hulk haven't really produced much so far.
On the other hand, it is definitely not the end of the world for Brazil - indeed, the 0-0 draw does enhance Brazil's and Mexico's chances of making the 2nd round.
The real losers on the night were Croatia really who now have to win their last 2 games against Cameroon and Mexico to have any realistic chance of qualifying for the 2nd round.
Nevertheless, the draw does really open up a World Cup that seemed destined to head down the route of the hosts - sides will now back themselves to be able to contain Brazil at home, which will cast a bit of doubt on the inevitable 6th world title that the nation wants.
One side that will be trying to take advantage of Brazilian jitters is Belgium, one of the last teams to make their bow at this World Cup, and back in the Finals after a 12 year hiatus from tournament football with a side that could easily be an European club football all-stars XI - even a team of players Tottenham Hotspur bought or wanted to buy if they could.
The Belgians though will have to play far better than they did in the first half against an efficient if negative Algeria - the jitters of playing tournament football for the first time in a while definitely had its toll on Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen, Nacer Chadli, et al as they lacked any cutting edge up front.
Their pace at the back could be an issue with Vertonghen skinned for pace and giving away the penalty that gave Algeria the lead.
What redeemed Belgium was their much-talked about depth with Marouane Fellaini and Dries Martens scoring the goals that would give the Red Devils a winning start to their campaign. Fellaini was employed as a striker and showed United fans what he is capable of with his head, while Martens finished off some wonderful work by Eden Hazard to score the winner.
With Russia and Korea to come - both those sides playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the middle of nowhere - it is really Belgium's group to lose and like Brazil they'll be hoping that they're just making a slow start to the campaign and that there is more to come.
As for Brazil, hopefully it's just still a slow start too.
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