Ana Rangel (left), Shannon Center (center) and Melissa Center were all smiles after Brazil's win over Mexico in the World Cup.
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Ana Rangel (left), Shannon Center (center) and Melissa Center were all smiles after Brazil's win over Mexico in the World Cup. / GPB

Ana Rangel moved from Recife, Brazil to the United States more than three decades ago. The daughter of a professional soccer player, she's never missed a World Cup — not even in 1982, when she didn't have ready access to a television to watch her first Cup in the U.S. Now, she watches at Rio Steakhouse and Bakery in Marietta, Georgia, where thousands of Brazilians call home. On Second Thought producer Leighton Rowell joined Rangel and her family on Monday to watch Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 in the World Cup semifinals, and brought back an audio postcard. On Second Thought producer Leighton Rowell's audio postcard from the Brazil-Mexico World Cup match watch party with Atlanta's Brazilian community.

"Football means everything in Brazil. It's the number one sport. Doesn't matter if it's the World Cup, but every day in Brazil is football day," Rangel told On Second Thought. "I wish America was more passionate about soccer, about football like the rest of the world are."

Brazil meets Belgium when the round of eight begins Friday at 2 p.m. ET.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhm-nSRzEgY&t=142s

Ana Rangel, who moved from Brazil to the United States more than three decades ago, celebrates after Brazil scores its second goal.
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Ana Rangel, who moved from Brazil to the United States more than three decades ago, celebrates after Brazil scores its second goal. / GPB

The crowd of hundreds at Rio Steakhouse and Bakery in Marietta, Georgia cheers after Brazil advances to the World Cup round of eight.
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The crowd of hundreds at Rio Steakhouse and Bakery in Marietta, Georgia cheers after Brazil advances to the World Cup round of eight. / GPB