In the end, it all became too much and Wang Shuang, worn out and visibly shaken, collapsed to the floor in a heap, breaking down in tears. On a day of excruciating tension and immense disappointment, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder could not control her emotions when the full-time whistle finally went. 

Seconds later, her teammates trudged to the 24-year-old star, putting their arms around her shoulder to embrace her bruised and battered body as they attempted to comfort one another and digest the latest sorry tale. 

China, who had made the quarter-finals in three of the past five women's World Cups, were sent tumbling out in ruthless fashion at the hands of an inexperienced yet undaunted Italy, who overcame early jitters and reached the last eight for the first time in 28 years.

The harrowing 2-0 loss represented the Steel Roses' worst run in the tournament since 1991. What is most damning about this Chinese side is that they bowed out with barely a flicker of resistance. There was no urgency, no spark and no ebullience. 

There was just lumbering attack, moves where every single pass looked pedestrian and un-inventive, and a team increasingly looking to individual moments of inspiration rather than the slick combination play. 

They even failed to maintain a veneer of respectability as the stingy defense of Jia Xiuquan's side, which had only conceded one goal in their three group stage games, crumbled in the most gut-wrenching manner.  

All of the goals on Tuesday resulted from the Chinese players' defensive errors and lapses in concentration on which Italy gratefully pounced with cold-blooded and clinical precision. 

Jia had acknowledged that while the draw with Spain was an improvement, his side had still had problems in defensive transition, too often leaving their central defenders exposed.   

The 56-year-old veteran tactician, who shed tears in a rare display of emotion after China secured qualification for the knockout stage last Monday, admitted that once again his team had struggled to get the balance right between attack and defense and committed "fundamental mistakes" and "made poor decisions." 

"Football is not just a matter of offence or defense. We need balance on the pitch," Jia observed. "We couldn't win the game and I apologize to all the Chinese fans. This is football: whoever makes mistakes first has to pay. My players have done a good job, I will take responsibility for the loss."

It gives some indication of the difficulties China have had that only Li Ying, whose volley sealed China's sole victory against South Africa, managed to put his name on the score sheet during the whole campaign and Jia was left to rue China's increasingly massive gap on elite teams.

"The World Cup is a big stage and it makes us realize our shortcomings. We can't dwell on the past or any past glories. Our girls have given their best. We are fully aware of our potential. We will reflect on everything well once we return home." 

If positives should be sought from the disappointment, the accomplished display of China's young goalkeeper Peng Shimeng was the only bright spot. 

In sharp contrast to his seasoned teammates who tended to hit the panic button when the going got tough, the ever-reliant Peng consistently produced spectacular saves with a class and composure that belied her 21 years of age. 

However, she had no appetite to receive the accolades and praises that was heaped on her amid all the gloom and doom over China's calamitous fall from grace. Tears welled up in her eyes when she fulfilled her post-match media duties, struggling to make sense of the anguish and desolation unfolding in front of her.

Their story has come to an end, and it would raise inescapable questions over whether the time of Jia should also draw to a close. The hapless coach, who took over China nearly a year ago, evidently doesn't want to overstay his welcome.  

"Maybe it is time to take a break," said Jia with his characteristically deadpan sense of sternness. 

"To improve Chinese football, it requires generations. It can't only depend on myself."