For the first time in 64 years, football has come home.
Sure, Brazil might not have invented “the beautiful game,” but it has done more than any other country to make the World Cup the greatest sporting event on the planet.
Tonight, in the city of Sao Paulo, the five-time world champions kick off the 2014 tournament against a backdrop of fervent expectation and protests on the streets.
Croatia is the opponent for the opening match of Group A at 1700 local time; I’m Tom McGowan and alongside Chris Murphy I’ll be guiding you through the opening day of this samba celebration.
The wait is over, let the action commence. Over to you Chris…