Sports

After a long wait for the biggest mega event of this year, the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicked-off with a bang.

Defending champions Spain arrived here on Thursday in readiness for their World Cup opener against 2010 runners-up the Netherlands, on Friday.

After years of underachieving and failed promise, France have a midfield to be proud of again.

Spain begin their bid to retain the trophy in a Group B encounter against the Netherlands on Friday and Silva is pushing for a starting spot in the side.

The Dutch national team's line-up for the FIFA World Cup Group B match against Spain seems almost clear except for one spot in the midfield.

Spain may have won the World Cup in South Africa four years ago but last year they were humbled 3-0 by hosts Brazil in the Confederations Cup final.

Former Golden Boot winner Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci has tipped Italy striker Ciro Immobile to emulate his heroics and be the surprise star of the World Cup in Brazil.

With England and Italy making it three former world champions in the group, every match looks enticing and it is a tough call to predict who will go through.

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng will be one of several pairs of brothers to line up at the World Cup finals, but unlike the others they will be on opposing sides.

A late Dries Mertens goal gave Belgium a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in their final World Cup warmup friendly on Saturday.

Brazil didn't play well in a 4-0 win over Panama and also struggled in the 1-0 victory over Serbia, when the crowd loudly jeered the team.

Spain beat El Salvador 2-0 in a final tuneup, with Costa showing no hitch in his step from the strained right hamstring.

Ronaldo resumed training with the Portugal squad on Saturday after recovering from leg injuries that threatened to sideline him from their World Cup opener against Germany.

In Buenos Aires, the "Amores Perros" doggy boutique is celebrating World Cup by outfitting pets in official blue and white.

A 23-man Chile squad, including midfielder Arturo Vidal, has arrived in Brazil as the team starts preparations for its opening FIFA World Cup match against Australia.

Ronaldo will miss Friday's friendly against Mexico as he tries to recover from leg injuries in time for the team's World Cup opener against Germany on June 16.