-- "Tudo bem" - all good - as the Brazilians like to say.
Well, almost.
With a nationwide wave of excitement but also wafts of tear gas, the country that sees itself as the artful soul of soccer but is deeply conflicted about spending billions of dollars on hosting its showcase tournament kicked off one of the most troubled World Cups ever. It started Thursday with the home team in an opening match in a stadium that was barely ready on time.After a funky opening ceremony featuring J-Lo in low-cut sparkling green and dancers dressed as trees, Brazil's beloved national team, the star-studded Seleção, embarked on the extremely serious business of conquering a sixth world title that could assuage much - but not all - the public anger about World Cup spending of $11.5 billion in a nation where tens of millions are poor.
Brazil's first opponent was Croatia. The all-new Itaquerao stadium, which suffered chronic delays and worker deaths in its construction, was a sea of buttercup yellow, the color of the national team. Brazilian fans were crossing fingers and toes that this crop of stars will deliver not just victory but football as art, the "Jogo bonito" - the beautiful game - that was the hallmark of great Brazilian teams of the past having conquered Croatia three goals to one.
June 13, 2014 played host to watching three games with the first African country loosing to Mexico by a lone goal.
Chile had a good time with three goals over one goal against them from Austria.
However, the most suprising moment and game of the the day was SPAIN, the number one FIFA rated country and defending champion loosing to NETHERLAND by 5 goals to one.
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