Brazil kicks off World Cup 2014
Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte performs on stage during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Thanassis StA cast of 660 dancers paid tribute to the country\’s nature, people and football with a show around a "living" ball on the Arena de Sao Paulo pitch.
The 2014 Fifa World Cup officially got under way on Thursday with a colourful opening ceremony before hosts Brazil kicked off against Croatia.
Millions of fans dressed in Brazil\’s yellow, green and blue home colours, cheered throughout Brazil\’s 3-1 victory over Croatia in Sao Paulo and continued the revelry into the night on Thursday.
Hundreds of dancers and musicians came together for the performance at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo ahead of the tournament\’s first match.
Watched by tens of thousands of fans it included a performance by Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull of the official World Cup song "We Are One".
The singers along with Brazilian star Claudia Leitte emerged from a huge dome that opened up in the centre of the pitch.
The final act saw a performance of official World Cup song "We Are One" by Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull.
The month-long tournament sees 32 nations compete in 64 games.
Many fans took to the streets to sing and chant their support for Brazil as excitement built in the hours before the tournament began.
But there were also demonstrations from those unhappy with the expense of hosting the tournament.
Police in Sao Paulo had to use tear gas to break up one protest, which involved about 50 people, while striking airport workers in Rio de Janeiro blocked a road outside the airport, demanding a wage increase and a World Cup bonus.
The strike was to have lasted for 24 hours but union leaders called it off early for legal reasons.
However, there was no trouble within the 65,000-seater Arena de Sao Paulo during the opening ceremony.
Performers dressed as trees, flowers and various musical instruments all performed in three acts before the central ball opened to reveal singers Claudia Leitte, Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull as they sang the official World Cup song as the finale.
The opening game of the tournament between Brazil and Croatia kicked off at 21:00 BST, with the hosts coming from behind to win 3-1.
Neymar scored twice, with his crucial second coming from a controversial penalty after team-mate Fred fell to the ground under minimal contact.
No host nation have ever lost their opening World Cup game, with the previous 20 producing 14 victories and six draws for the hosts.
Hosts Brazil start as favourites to win the World Cup for a sixth time, while holders Spain are aiming to win a fourth major tournament in a row after winning the European Championship two years ago.
The other seeded teams are Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Argentina, Germany and Belgium.
Governing body Fifa said it had sold more than 2.9 million tickets, but they were still available for several matches on Wednesday, including some involving Germany, Italy and France.
Source – British Broadcasting Corporation and agencies
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