Brazil's wait for a first ever Olympic gold medal in football goes on after a shock 2-1 defeat to Mexico at Wembley on Saturday.
Oribe Peralta gave Mexico the lead after just 28 seconds following woeful defending from Manchester United's Rafael da Silva.
Mano Menezes could have expected that blow to jolt his side to life but the expected riposte never came as Brazil struggled to find any of their much-vaunted rhythm throughout.
And when Hulk allowed Peralta to run unmarked to head home a second-half free-kick, it seemed to confirm that the Brazilians had wilted under the expectation of success.
That's a worrying sign for Menezes given that he is hoping to rely on many of these players to help Brazil win the World Cup on home soil in 2014.
His players did at least show some fighting spirit and a dramatic comeback looked a real possibility when Hulk ran clear to score right-footed in injury-time.
The Porto forward then crossed in the dying seconds only for Chelsea's new signing Oscar to head over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
That was the last chance of the game and the Brazil players soon slumped to the ground in unison as Mexico claimed an unlikely gold medal to send their pockets of supporters into a state of delirium.
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