Watch CROATIA vs BRAZIL live streaming Free Online FIFA World Cup 2014

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is knocking on our door. Group A teams, hosts Brazil and Croatia will be playing the opening match at the Arena de São Paulo Stadium on June 12 (Thursday). Soccer fans can watch the match online on ESPN at 4.00 p.m. ET following the opening ceremony.

Brazil are big favorites for Group A, which also comprises Cameroon, Croatia and Mexico. The protests in Brazil against corruption and politicians notwithstanding, the spirits of the Brazilian team is at its peak. However, such protests are likely to cool somewhat as soon as the Samba boys take the field in their first match. Luiz Felipe Scolari has been coaching the Brazilian boys since November 2012 after Mano Menezes was sacked from the chief coach's post. The team has been improving gradually since then, and Brazil has been the only team to end Spain's amazing run of 29 games to earn the team's fourth 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Moreover, Brazil's emerging star Neymar earned the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament, while his teammates Fred and Julio Ceasar won the Golden Boot and Golden Glove respectively.

On the other hand, Croatia was a major underdog before in 1994. However, they stunned the soccer world when they came third during their maiden FIFA World Cup appearance in 1994, winning the third place. They succeeded in appearing in two other World Cups, but were eliminated in the group stages. In 2010, Croatia failed to qualify for a World Cup spot in South Africa after they came third, next to England and Ukraine, within the qualifying group.

This year, the Croatian squad boasts nearly one thousand caps, and is perhaps the strongest team that Croatia has put together. It also represents their best shot at the world soccer showcase. Skipper Darijo Srna is the most experienced player on the roster, having played 112 international matches. Stipe Pletikosa, a veteran goalkeeper, is next to Srna having played at Rostov in Russia.

Such a range of experience and skill promise to become the precursor to an exciting FIFA World Cup. In fact, results aside, the opening match will certainly be one of the most interesting matches to watch.

Nevertheless, Brazil are huge favorites to win this opening game of their home World Cup tournament. They have a 12th man advantage with their home crowd, and have some of the most talented and skilled players on the planet. Croatia, realistcally will be looking to sneak an upset, but would be delighted with a draw against the hosts.

Watch the match live here online:


 

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