Despite the unrest of local protesters, Brazil 2014 has started with an absolute bang and the tournament is already shaping up to be far more exciting than its predecessor in South Africa.
Such is the electrifying nature of this tournament that not only will it surpass 2010 in terms of engagement, but also almost all tournaments in recent memory.
Here are five reasons why:
5. Bags of Goals
A surprising amount of sides have turned out at this World Cup looking rather good going forward, but not so clever when on the defence. A quick look at the squads ofEngland, the Netherlands,Argentina and even Germanyand Spain suggests that the goal-fest should continue throughout the tournament.
So far in World Cup 2014 there have been 37 goals scored in only 11 games, meaning that on average there have been almost 3.5 goals scored per game.
Compare this to WC 2010, where over the 64 games in the tournament 146 goals were scored (at an average of 2.28 per game) and it is clear as to why this year's competition in Brazil is shaping up to be a much more exciting affair than the previous tournament in South Africa.
4. Fall of the World Champions
In South Africa it was almost a given that Spain were going to win the tournament. Their seemingly untouchable side was based around Barcelona in their invincible period and the gaps were filled in by Real Madrid first-teamers.
You would be forgiven for thinking that the same would be the case in this year's competition. Although the squad is aged, their bench still comprised of 12 players that all play first-team football at the highest level for the best teams in Europe. Nevertheless, they were ruthlessly and memorably demolished 5-1 by the Netherlands.
Although Spain did lose the opening game of the previous tournament and go on to win the competition, the manner of which they were defeated against the Netherlands suggests that time is up for their current crop of players.
3. Protests
The stereotype of Brazilians as happy, care-free football lovers has all but been extinguished during this World Cup. The spiritual home of football undoubtedly still loves the sport, but many believe that the money spent on the tournament would have been better used helping some of the many millions left in poverty.
The reaction of much of the Brazilian population is not surprising given the state in which many Brazilians are forced to live. From an outside perspective it is hard to see how the country can afford to stage such a grand tournament yet struggle to educate its vast population.
The severity, length and message of the protests and the fact that the reality is so distant from the stereotype means that this unfortunate aspect of the tournament will be in the minds of many for years to come.
2. Shock Results
Unpredictability is in football's DNA - it is the very lifeblood of the sport. Yet Brazil 2014 has taken this to a whole new level. Almost everybody has been completely taken-aback by how the opening games of this tournament have been played and the results that have shocked the very core of the footballing institution.
Not a single journalist, commentator or fan can genuinely say that they believed that the Netherlands would beat world and European champions Spain 5-1. The way in which they completely demolished and dismantled the Spanish game plan is one of the great results in tournament history.
Uruguay have one of the best World Cup pedigrees of any nation involved in the finals, yet they seemed shell shocked when confronted with a Costa Rica side who poured forward in abundance without an ounce of fear.
Switzerland's last second equaliser against Ecuador was a thing of counter-attack beauty and added yet another brilliant result to the list of those already in existence. Keep the shocking the results coming and this tournament will be imprinted in the memory for a very long time.
1. Goal-Line Technology
This is the first World Cup ever to use goal-line technology. Although there has not yet been any controversial decision based on the equipment, it is unlikely that we will reach the end of the tournament without some sort of technology hullabaloo.
Of course, if your name is Jonathan Pearce then the goal-line system has already had its controversial moment. The ITV commentator seemed unable to grasp the fact that he was viewing two separate replays - one was Karim Benzema's shot that didn't cross the line, the second was Honduran goalkeeper Valladares' touch which did take the ball over the line.
Either way, Brazil 2014 will forever be seen as the first tournament in which FIFA finally accepted that such apparatus is good for football. Sepp Blatter is also seemingly pondering over the idea of giving managers the power to challenge referees twice a game, so goal-line tech may not be the only innovation we see in years to come.
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