The time has arrived for the biggest event in football (soccer in the US), and this Thursday you can watch Brazil vs. Croatia in the first match of the 2014 World Cup to be hosted by the South American country.
Fans have been waiting for this match for four years, and many wonder if Brazil can truly deliver another World Cup trophy, this time at home.
The last time Brazil hosted the world cup in 1950, the biggest national football disaster happened, a true tragedy for Brazilian fans who were absolutely sure their “Selecao” would win it all — but they didn’t, and lost in the decisive group stage to neighbors and arch rivals, Uruguay, 2-1.
This game became known as the “Maracanazo” (played at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro) and ever since 1950 it is Brazilians’ worst nightmare, losing another World Cup title on their home soil.
Those who watch Brazil vs. Croatia live online on Thursday will have the opportunity to see how one of the heavy favorites to take it all performs in front of a demanding, but friendly crowd.
Brazil’s rival in the opener on Thursday, Croatia, arrived in the country on Monday and headed directly to their base camp in Praia do Forte.
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— N? (@naz33f_) June 2, 2014
Brazil coach Luiz Felip Scolari has a lot of pressure as a whole nation — in which football is king — will be hanging on the team’s every move, wants to get rid of the 1950 ghost.
Millions will be tuning in to watch Brazil vs. Croatia live online as the 2014 World Cup finally kicks-off, after years of preparations, anticipation, and doubts as the host nation puts the finishing touches on the biggest football tournament on Earth.
In comments to reporters, Scolari predicted that if Brazil reaches the final, as many expect they will, he would like another South American country as rivals:
“I hope we can make it a Brazil-Argentina final, a South American final, with players that have great technical ability.”
It remains to be seen whether Brazil — the winningest nation in World Cup history, with five titles — has what it takes to go all the way and play in the final match on Sunday, July 13, first they have to actually play and win their games against others who don’t have as much to lose.
Expected Lineups
Brazil: Cesar; Alves, Luiz, Silva, Marcelo; Paulinho, Gustavo; Neymar, Oscar, Hulk; Fred.
Croatia: Pletikosa; Srna, Lovren, Corluka, Pranjic; Vukojevic, Modric; Perisic, Rakitic, Kovacic; Olic.
Group: A
Location: Estadio Corinthians, Sao Paulo
Date: Thursday, June 12
Time: 2:00 pm/ET
Prediction: Brazil 3-Croatia 1
To watch Brazil vs. Croatia live online in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup go here .
[Image via Twitter ]