We must have seen different games, because I completely disagree with your analysis. Having watched the Dutch in their previous games, I felt they were as strong as Brazil and the match would be even. The game was well played on both sides. Both teams quite physical, but the Dutch were sticking harder and coming away with the 50-50 balls. They had more passion and fervor and that made the difference in the end. No need for a conspiracy theory. Brazil was simply outplayed.
When you say "How could they lose when their football was SO MUCH BETTER than the dour Dutch?" and "They were terrible, and had been up to absurd tricks throughout.", I just flatly disagree. Perhaps if you watched the game again without your palette of expectations you would realize you have seen a great football game with two teams of contrasting styles
Re: “Brazil play beautiful football and lose to the Dutch; the conspiracy theories mount”
We must have seen different games, because I completely disagree with your analysis. Having watched the Dutch in their previous games, I felt they were as strong as Brazil and the match would be even. The game was well played on both sides. Both teams quite physical, but the Dutch were sticking harder and coming away with the 50-50 balls. They had more passion and fervor and that made the difference in the end. No need for a conspiracy theory. Brazil was simply outplayed.
When you say "How could they lose when their football was SO MUCH BETTER than the dour Dutch?" and "They were terrible, and had been up to absurd tricks throughout.", I just flatly disagree. Perhaps if you watched the game again without your palette of expectations you would realize you have seen a great football game with two teams of contrasting styles