Sao Paulo: Brazil has celebrated the World Cup inauguration tournament in a colorful carnival atmosphere.
Meanwhile, police had to fire tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters in Sao Paulo who were opposing the tournament.
But the five-time world football champions shocked their fans when they went down on the 11th minute by a self-goal in their first encounter against Croatia.
For viewing the inaugural match of the host there were 61,600 fans including 12 state heads.
Defender Marcelo was at the brink of tears after he touched the ball into his home net from a Croatian cross.
But Brazil equalized in the 29th minute through their hero striker Neymar.
Brazilian police had put up a ring of steel around the stadium to the keep protesters away from the tournament venue.
The country has already spent 11 billion dollars to get prepared for the month long entertainment.
But the rebel demonstrators in black shirts and masks lit bonfires of rubbish a few kilometers away from the arena.
But the armored police succeeded in suppressing the protests hours before the opening match.
In Rio de Janeiro, the striking ground staff were blocked a road leading to the city’s international airport.
The President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff has accused opponents of agitating against the World Cup and warned that a repeat of last year’s violence would not be tolerated this time.
So, a vast security force is being deployed near the tournament venues to shield the World Cup matches from any probable turbulence.

Video on Brazil World Cup Opening Ceremony