If Brazil had it their own way, you'd get the feeling they'd scrap the World Cup's third-place play-off in a heartbeat – but the hosts must trudge out again in Brasilia for another walk of shame against Holland on Saturday.
Four days after what will go down as the Selecao's most embarrassing ever defeat – a 7-1 thumping by Germany in their own backyard, in their World Cup – they must show their faces to a devastated nation.
That result has sprinkled spice on what for all intents and purposes is a dead-rubber and according to Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho, who himself was overrun by the Germans, a punch-drunk Brazil must post a response.
You could visibly see the confidence – and blood – drain away from Brazilian faces during Belo Horizonte's horror show and the 29-year-old admits piecing back together a shattered psyche is crucial.
"The best way for us now is to try to finish in third position," he said.
"The most important thing now is the psychological recovery. We have to recover for Saturday, to play to finish the World Cup in the best way we can."
Despite Holland's exit to Argentina on penalties on Wednesday, the defeat was hardly the brutally bitter pill of a seven-goal thumping to swallow.
Where Brazil could stand to benefit – however small a consolation – is from a worn-out Holland, who were also taken down to the wire by Costa Rica in the quarter-finals.
But the effects of fatigue could pale in comparison to the 'pain' Fernandinho says Brazil are still struggling to cope with.
"I'm not sure how long it will take for me to get over this. This pain is big, big," he said.
"The people wanted a good result, a win, the title, but we lost in the semi-final and all we can do is say sorry.
"The first half was unbelievable. Incredible things happened out there. We can try for the rest of our lives to explain what happened, but we won't find the words.
"I've never experienced anything like that in my life."
