BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil — Brazil’s national soccer team is the embodiment of the beautiful game, an 11-man samba performance that dazzles fans of any country and leaves its opponents both flummoxed and flat-footed.

Or is it?

The 2014 World Cup, which happens to be playing out on Brazil’s own stage, has dispelled one of sports’ most entrenched (if somewhat mythical) beliefs: that Brazilian soccer is a showcase of tempo and timbre designed, above all else, to enthrall and entertain.

In truth, Brazil plays a rather ugly version of soccer these days, unapologetically pursuing that which every other team in the world chases: wins.

Image Brazil’s Thiago Silva was shown a yellow card in a quarterfinal match against Colombia. Credit... Fabrice Coffrini/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

It is working, too. While o jogo bonito may be dead, few here are mourning — least of all the fans who will pack the Estádio Mineirão on Tuesday when Brazil faces Germany in the semifinals, two victories away from its record sixth World Cup title.