BRAZIL 2014: Why World Cup finals reflect nation’s economic prowess

Brazil’s President Dilma Roussef vowed that her country is ready to host the most trouble-plagued World Cup in history from today as she confronted public anger at the multi-billion-dollar price tag.

What better platform to make a statement than one watched by billions around the planet?

Chelsea midfielder Oscar put the seal on the win with a late strike from distance to trigger delirium.

>The pretenders are gone. The 16 teams remaining in Brazil are the best sides in the world, the outstanding sides left in what is shaping up to be a tournament for the ages.

President Dilma Rousseff: “I hear and respect those opinions but I don’t agree with them. It is a false dilemma” Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff says her country is ready, on and off the pitch, for the football World Cup which starts on Thursday. In a TV address, she said “the pessimists” had been defeated by the determination of the Brazilian people. She rejected criticism of overspending, saying that the tournament would leave a lasting legacy of infrastructure. Brazil has seen a year...

>Uruguay star Luis Suarez was suspended for nine matches for biting an opponent yesterday as World Cup chiefs struck back with the heaviest sanction against a player in the tournament’s history.

Players expected to figure prominently would mostly be from up and coming developing countries!

AFP Sports looks at why things went pear-shaped in Brazil for reigning World Cup champs, Spain. 

There were fears of mass protests, unfinished stadiums and rampant crime, but a week into the World Cup, there is a carnival atmosphere in Brazil and the worst doubts have largely dissipated.