Brazil's David Luiz (L) and Brazil's Neymar celebrate during the 2014 World Cup opening match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo, June 12, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

1. The atmosphere did not disappoint

1. 比赛气氛没有令人失望

The atmosphere beforehand was extraordinary, even by the standards of Brazil’s fun-loving fans. Those famous yellow shirts masked the many imperfections in this half-finished stadium to provide spine-tingling support for the hosts. But the noise levels went stratospheric whenever Brazil scored. It was incredible, even for a World Cup, to hear a crowd react with quite so much fervour. Looking beyond the stands you could see fireworks exploding right across the city. This tournament badly needs a successful Selecao to maintain momentum and keep the locals engaged. If that success is attained, the ripples spread wide.

即使以爱热闹的巴西球迷标准判断，本场赛前氛围也异常狂热。著名的桑巴黄衫军球迷为半成品体育场掩盖掉了诸多缺陷，欢欣鼓舞，全力支持主办国巴西队。当巴西人进球时， 球迷的呐喊到了极致。

对于世界杯来说，能听到这样一群人有这么强烈的热情和反应，这是难以置信的。看一下看台，你可以看到整个城市烟花满天。这场比赛非常需要桑巴军团，保持着良好的发展势头，让当地人大饱眼福。如果此次获得成功，赢球的势头将保持下去，为接下来的比赛建立信心。

2. Can Brazil prevail with this defence?

2.靠这样的防守，巴西能获胜吗？

It is a legitimate question when Dani Alves was left stranded upfield as Ivica Olic raced down the left to create Croatia’s goal; when David Luiz failed to get close enough to Nikica Jelavic on the resulting cross, and when Thiago Silva is effectively the only true defender in that vulnerable back four. It is something for Luiz Felipe Scolari to think about before facing Mexico. With Dante in reserve, might he think about a change? Or will he persist with a unit that must give him palpitations? So can Brazil win the World Cup with this rearguard? Yes, they probably can. But the ride might be bumpy, a little nerve-racking.

这是一个大家都会问的问题。当阿尔维斯被搁置在前场活动，奥利奇左路带球传中，马塞洛乌龙，克罗地亚首开记录。

当大卫·路易斯无法接近耶拉维奇，当蒂亚戈·席尔瓦成为这脆弱的四个后卫中唯一一个真正的后卫，这是斯科拉里在下一场面对墨西哥前，需要好好考虑的。这场比赛丹特做了替补，下一场斯科拉里可能会在战术调整上做出点改变。

或许，他将会坚持自己的想法，直到比赛让他心有余悸？所以，巴西能够凭借如此后防赢得此次世界杯冠军吗？可能会吧， 但道路可能会有点崎岖，有点让人伤脑筋。

3. Croatia’s central midfield isn’t half bad

3. 克罗地亚中前卫也不差

Nico Kovac picked a very attacking line-up, but not so surprising was the Croatia manager’s decision to build his midfield around Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, two players capable of matching or even bettering Brazil’s engine room. Their ability and effort provided a platform that should reap rewards. Neither Mexico nor Cameroon will enjoy facing them, especially when Mario Mandzukic returns from suspension. Modric and Rakitic will remain the heartbeat.

科瓦奇挑选一套非常强劲的攻击阵容，克罗地亚主教练决定以莫德里奇和伊万·拉基蒂奇为核心中场，一点也不让人觉得意外。因为这两名球员的有能力胜任，甚至比巴西的中场更胜一筹。他们的先天能力和后天努力告诉我们他们应该在本场比赛中获得回报。墨西哥和喀麦隆都不想在小组赛碰到他们，特别是当曼朱基齐回归之后，莫德里奇和伊万·拉基蒂奇仍将是让球迷心跳停止的球员。

4. The ball did well

4.比赛用球不错

南非世界杯上的足球“普天同庆”引来诸多争议，本次世界杯不会使用有问题的足球。2014年巴西世界杯官方比赛用球 “桑巴荣耀”在设计上有所不同， 开创性的球面结构技术，给人的感觉近乎一个篮球。这一想法大概是想为比赛带来更好的场上控球、触球、稳定性。我们在圣保罗看到的情况似乎中规中矩。未来巴西人的举措还有待观察，最重要的是，大多数球员似乎很相信这个球。

5. Entertainment ahead?

5.娱乐活动未受影响

Too often in recent years the World Cup has suffered from caution and fear, leading to some tortuous stalemates that do no one any good. It may be a bit early to be predicting a turnaround, but there was enough on show last night to bring hopes of a tournament rich with adventure and goals.

近年来经常听到世界杯举办国受到了警告和恐吓，给申请举办过程和筹办过程带来了麻烦。早些时候，有人预测，情况会有所好转，但是昨晚的表现足够地展示了惊心动魄的进球给此次杯赛带来了希望。

Brazil’s entertainers played their part in Sao Paulo to show that a positive attitude is the right way to go. So it’s over to the rest, to Messi and Ronaldo, to Hazard and Silva to continue this theme over the next few weeks. If they can, we will be talking about one of the best World Cups in recent times.

巴西圣保罗的艺人进行了表演，出了他们一份力，他们想证明，世界杯是以积极的态度朝着正确的方向前进的。所以在休息时间，对于梅西和罗纳尔多，对于阿扎尔和席尔瓦这些大牌来说，他们将在在接下来的几周内，继续这个主题。如果他们能做到，我们将谈论这是近年来最好的一届世界杯。

（译者 shltt 编辑 齐磊）