Simon Romero

Brazilian soccer fans, who traditionally view Argentina as their chief rival, seemed to be generally pleased with the result of the game. When Germany scored its only goal in the 113th minute, securing victory in extra time, fireworks were set off across the city.

The loss to Germany has reverberated politically in a country where the fortunes of the national soccer team are an obsession rooted in a tradition in which Brazil has won five World Cup titles, more than any other nation. Brazil entered the tournament as a favourite.

While studies showed anti-government protests had dwindled substantially, Brazil's humiliating exit from FIFA World Cup may once again cast a massive shadow in the country.

The loss stunned Brazil, where pride over five previous World Cup championships is forged into the national identity, as is a humiliating defeat to Uruguay the last time Brazil played host to the World Cup.

Juan Camilo Zuniga has been the target of death threats and racist abuse after his foul on Neymar in the quarters of the FIFA World Cup 2014.

The arrival in Brazil this year of more than 200,000 Spanish-speaking fans, for the FIFA World Cup, from large nations like Mexico and Colombia and smaller ones like Costa Rica and Uruguay exemplifies one of Latin America's most profound shifts since the start of the century: the rise of the middle class.

Even as the world welcomed and enjoyed the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2014 between Brazil and Croatia, there was evident discontent against the political establishment of the host nation.

Brazil's love for football and excitement around hosting the FIFA World Cup has given way to protests with the local population demanding basic necessities. With two days left for the event, there is a genuine buzz here as well.

Brazil's list of feats since ending authoritarian rule in the 1980s is as long as it is varied, including anti-poverty programs pulling millions into the middle class, the democratic election of presidents who suffered indignities under the dictatorship and the surging growth of tropical agriculture to help feed the world.

With hotel rooms in perilously short supply and even modest hostels in Rio de Janeiro charging as much as $450 for a bed during the World Cup in Brazil next year, the residents of Rocinha and other favelas, or slums, are making the most of the city's acute shortage of lodging

Alberto admitted he had been surprised when he became aware of Liverpool's interest, but had no doubts about accepting their offer. Alberto came through Sevilla's academy and made his first-team debut in April 2011 before going out on loan.

José Ojeda can barely sleep without the comfort of a miner nearby to confide in when dreams shake him awake. Omar Reygadas, a great-grandfather more used to comforting than being comforted, cries easily. And Edison Peña, the miner who kept himself grounded by running miles underground most days, was hospitalized last week for emotional distress.I...

Family members of the 33 miners who were trapped for 69 days had said a special Mass on Sunday would be a chance for the miners to find closure and understanding. As one of them, Omar Reygadas, 56, left the service and walked with his family to the tent where they had lived while the men were trapped, cameramen and photographers surrounded him. His...

Two months, nine days, and eight hours after their excruciating ordeal began, the last of the 33 miners trapped a half-mile underground in Chile was delivered safely to the earth's surface, capping perhaps the most dramatic survival story in mining history. (Pics)With the entire nation rapt and much of the world riveted, the last miner, Luis Urzua,...

Each time the red, white and blue capsule rose smoothly out of the hole in the earth on Wednesday and another miner emerged safely, to applause and the waiting arms of his family, the scene replayed all around world with a joy that never seemed tired. (See Pics)By mid-afternoon here, the precarious operation to hoist to the surface 33 miners who we...

Brazilian soccer fans, who traditionally view Argentina as their chief rival, seemed to be generally pleased with the result of the game. When Germany scored its only goal in the 113th minute, securing victory in extra time, fireworks were set off across the city.

The loss to Germany has reverberated politically in a country where the fortunes of the national soccer team are an obsession rooted in a tradition in which Brazil has won five World Cup titles, more than any other nation. Brazil entered the tournament as a favourite.

While studies showed anti-government protests had dwindled substantially, Brazil's humiliating exit from FIFA World Cup may once again cast a massive shadow in the country.

The loss stunned Brazil, where pride over five previous World Cup championships is forged into the national identity, as is a humiliating defeat to Uruguay the last time Brazil played host to the World Cup.

Juan Camilo Zuniga has been the target of death threats and racist abuse after his foul on Neymar in the quarters of the FIFA World Cup 2014.

The arrival in Brazil this year of more than 200,000 Spanish-speaking fans, for the FIFA World Cup, from large nations like Mexico and Colombia and smaller ones like Costa Rica and Uruguay exemplifies one of Latin America's most profound shifts since the start of the century: the rise of the middle class.

Even as the world welcomed and enjoyed the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2014 between Brazil and Croatia, there was evident discontent against the political establishment of the host nation.

Brazil's love for football and excitement around hosting the FIFA World Cup has given way to protests with the local population demanding basic necessities. With two days left for the event, there is a genuine buzz here as well.

Brazil's list of feats since ending authoritarian rule in the 1980s is as long as it is varied, including anti-poverty programs pulling millions into the middle class, the democratic election of presidents who suffered indignities under the dictatorship and the surging growth of tropical agriculture to help feed the world.

With hotel rooms in perilously short supply and even modest hostels in Rio de Janeiro charging as much as $450 for a bed during the World Cup in Brazil next year, the residents of Rocinha and other favelas, or slums, are making the most of the city's acute shortage of lodging

Alberto admitted he had been surprised when he became aware of Liverpool's interest, but had no doubts about accepting their offer. Alberto came through Sevilla's academy and made his first-team debut in April 2011 before going out on loan.

José Ojeda can barely sleep without the comfort of a miner nearby to confide in when dreams shake him awake. Omar Reygadas, a great-grandfather more used to comforting than being comforted, cries easily. And Edison Peña, the miner who kept himself grounded by running miles underground most days, was hospitalized last week for emotional distress.I...

Family members of the 33 miners who were trapped for 69 days had said a special Mass on Sunday would be a chance for the miners to find closure and understanding. As one of them, Omar Reygadas, 56, left the service and walked with his family to the tent where they had lived while the men were trapped, cameramen and photographers surrounded him. His...

Two months, nine days, and eight hours after their excruciating ordeal began, the last of the 33 miners trapped a half-mile underground in Chile was delivered safely to the earth's surface, capping perhaps the most dramatic survival story in mining history. (Pics)With the entire nation rapt and much of the world riveted, the last miner, Luis Urzua,...

Each time the red, white and blue capsule rose smoothly out of the hole in the earth on Wednesday and another miner emerged safely, to applause and the waiting arms of his family, the scene replayed all around world with a joy that never seemed tired. (See Pics)By mid-afternoon here, the precarious operation to hoist to the surface 33 miners who we...