The World Cup 2014 starts in Brazil and matches are on Friday with Mexico, Cameroon, Australia, Chile, Spain and the Netherlands after it opened with Brazil and Croatia and the radio live stream coverage comes from ESPN and ESPN Radio online Thursday from Sao Paulo for the first match of the tournament and Brazil is trying to win their Group A opener against Croatia and this is the only match of the day and comes from Arena Corinthians as the Brazilians try and start with some points.
Brazil comes into the tournament as one of the favorites and they are trying to win the World Cup on their home turf and that hasn't happened in over a decade. The team last won the tournament back in 2002 and now they have the chance to add another one and they would be the first team to win at home since France did it back in 1998 and that would be intense with all the controversy going on in the nation for the Cup. Brazil has won five times and they will start from Sao Paulo and so far in Brazil there have been numerous protests and police have acted just as Dave Zirin said they would and that of course makes things look great for FIFA.
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Brazil comes into the tournament after a very strong year and they have not lost many times since back against England last February, going 16 wins, four draws and one loss in that time and after winning the Confederations Cup, they have some momentum against a favorite like Spain. The team won over Spain in that matchup and Spain comes into the tournament as one of the favorites after being in the World Cup final and winning in South Africa. The Brazilian team has the chance to unite the nation, but with the corruption of FIFA and the planning of the games, it could be tough.
The Brazil side has the most talented roster in their group and the Mexican team should be a tough out and so is Cameroon, while Croatia is not one to underestimate. Mexico is dealing with a number of injuries and now they could be one of the teams that gets kicked out before the group stage finishes and heads into the knockout stage. Croatia is an underdog, but they have the chance to make some noise and they have a very skilled player in Luka Modric and he will be key for the team. Cameroon draw with Germany and has Samuel Eto'o as their best player and it is likely that Brazil and Croatia make it through if Mexico can't overcome their injuries.
The toughest group in the tournament is Group G and that has the United States along with Portugal, Germany and Ghana lined up and that is being called the group of death for this World Cup.
Check here for the live radio coverage as the World Cup 2014 tournament starts with Brazil and Croatia in the first match from ESPN and ESPN Radio.
