PORT ELIZABETH: Goalkeeper Julio Cesar and defensive midfielder Felipe Melo on Friday lamented the end of Brazil`s World Cup run after a 2-1 quarter-final loss to the Netherlands here.

Melo was the villain of the piece for the Brazilians, putting through his own goal to gift Holland an equaliser and then getting sent off for an ugly stamp on Arjen Robben as Dunga`s side sought a way back into the game.

"This is the most difficult moment of my life," said the Juventus midfielder.

"We didn`t win, it`s my first loss with the Brazilian team and it`s a tough one as we were leading and had chances to go two up. We really failed to deliver as we had our hearts set on being world champions."

Melo passed a late fitness test on an injured ankle and started well by setting up Robinho`s 10th-minute opener with a fine through pass, but his evening went sharply downhill thereafter.

"I don`t have to say sorry because we are a group," he said defiantly.

"I bear my share of the blame, as do the rest of the group."

Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar said he would try to put the disappointment behind him as quickly as possible.

"We always said we were confident and united. This defeat will stick in our craw for a long time," he said.

"This loss really hurts. Everyone is very sad, but that`s football and we have to take it on the chin.

"Now I just want to go home and see my wife, my kids. I am not even thinking about 2014," said the shot-stopper when asked if he would now look forward to the next tournament on home soil.

"Two great teams were out there and only one could win -- and sadly that wasn`t Brazil."

Julio Cesar completely missed a Wesley Sneijder cross that bounced into the net off Melo`s head to cancel out Robinho`s opener and then Sneijder headed home the winner in the 68th minute.

Melo was dismissed five minutes later for stamping on Holland winger Robben as he lay on the ground.

BDST: 0448hrs, July 3, 2010