Even before the kick off of the World Cup opener between hosts Brazil and Croatia in South Paulo on Thursday in a stirring moment the packed house continued singing the national anthem long after the music had stopped. It was a glimpse of the level of expectation and emotion associated with the first World Cup in Sambaland since 1950.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari opted to play the same starting line-up that featured in last year’s 3-0 Confederations Cup final victory against Spain, thereby sticking with then out-of-sorts midfielder Oscar, who eventually proved to be more than a handful for the Croatians.