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With a nationwide wave of excitement but also wafts of tear gas, the country that sees itself as the artful soul of football but is deeply conflicted about spending billions of dollars on hosting its showcase tournament kicked off one of the most troubled World Cups ever. 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 Selecao, 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 with tens of millions of poor. Brazil's first opponent was Croatia. 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.
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