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World Cup

World Cup: Brazil 2014

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Simon Kuper • Shobhan Saxena • Jan Tilman Schwab • Florencia Costa • Lhendup G Bhutia • and others

A terrible beauty is to be born

Jan Tilman Schwab lists the best and bravest not to be missed in Brazil

In Goal We Trust

Football in Brazil is more than the opium of the masses. It is more about individual expression, playing out fantasies and climbing the social ladder

Where history is a penalty

Luck apart, there is something majestic about penalty shootouts, and the Cup has a habit of making fools of forecasters, Pele included

Confessions of a Flamengo Fanatic

Still, Florencia Costa is now singing Fly Canarinho for Brazil to become Hexacampeão

India’s Red Card Glory

Komaleeswaran Sankar officiated as an assistant referee in three matches at the 2002 World Cup. He shares the thrill of being the first Indian ever to participate in a World Cup

Why You Shouldn’t Bet against Cricketing Minnows

Minnows, it turns out, have surprised us since 1979, the second World Cup

Perks of the Job

Watching, er, hearing Yuvraj in full flow, and a chance encounter with an autorickshaw driver who starred in Johnny Mera Naam

‘This Indian Team Inspires Hope’

The balance is good, with the batting looking strong and the bowling available in full strength. And there are more than a few match-winners

It Was a Classic

Germany’s 4-1 defeat of England at the World Cup, despite the refereeing controversy, will be a match long remembered.

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