Stages of World Cup drama

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Outside view of the Arena Amazonia during its inauguration match between Nacional and Remo, in Manaus, Amazonas, on March 9, 2014. The Arena Amazonia is one of the stadiums for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. Photo: AFP
Outside view of the Arena Amazonia during its inauguration match between Nacional and Remo, in Manaus, Amazonas, on March 9, 2014. The Arena Amazonia is one of the stadiums for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. Photo: AFP
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View of the Arena Amazonia stadium in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, on February 13, 2014. Manaus will host FIFA Word Cup Brazil 2014 football matches. Photo: AFP
View of the Arena Amazonia stadium in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, on February 13, 2014. Manaus will host FIFA Word Cup Brazil 2014 football matches. Photo: AFP
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View of the Arena da Baixada stadium during a FIFA inspection in Curitiba, Brazil on March 22, 2014, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2014. Photo: AFP
View of the Arena da Baixada stadium during a FIFA inspection in Curitiba, Brazil on March 22, 2014, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2014. Photo: AFP
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General view of the Arena da Baixada stadium in the southern city of Curitiba, Brazil, on April 27, 2014. The Arena da Baixada stadium will host four matches of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. Photo: AFP
General view of the Arena da Baixada stadium in the southern city of Curitiba, Brazil, on April 27, 2014. The Arena da Baixada stadium will host four matches of the upcoming FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. Photo: AFP
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Picture of the Beira Rio stadium, in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, taken on February 18, 2014. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke is visiting World Cup sites across Brazil, including Beira Rio, to see their progress. Photo: AFP
Picture of the Beira Rio stadium, in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, taken on February 18, 2014. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke is visiting World Cup sites across Brazil, including Beira Rio, to see their progress. Photo: AFP
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General view of the Beira-Rio Stadium during its inauguration, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on April 5, 2014. The Beira Rio Stadium is one of the stadiums which will host FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 matches. Photo: AFP
General view of the Beira-Rio Stadium during its inauguration, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on April 5, 2014. The Beira Rio Stadium is one of the stadiums which will host FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 matches. Photo: AFP
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An aerial view of Castelao Arena, in Fortaleza, state of Ceara, in northeastern Brazil, on April 16, 2013. Fortaleza will host the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup matches Brazil vs Mexico, Spain vs Nigeria and the semi-final. Photo: AFP
An aerial view of Castelao Arena, in Fortaleza, state of Ceara, in northeastern Brazil, on April 16, 2013. Fortaleza will host the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup matches Brazil vs Mexico, Spain vs Nigeria and the semi-final. Photo: AFP
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View of the field of the Castelao Arena in Fortaleza, Ceara State, northeastern Brazil, on April 16, 2013. Fortaleza will host the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup matches Brazil vs Mexico, Spain vs Nigeria and the semi-final. Photo: AFP
View of the field of the Castelao Arena in Fortaleza, Ceara State, northeastern Brazil, on April 16, 2013. Fortaleza will host the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup matches Brazil vs Mexico, Spain vs Nigeria and the semi-final. Photo: AFP
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General view of the Arena de Sao Paulo stadium during the Brazilian championship football match between Corinthians and Figueirense as part of its official inauguration, on May 18, 2014, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: AFP
General view of the Arena de Sao Paulo stadium during the Brazilian championship football match between Corinthians and Figueirense as part of its official inauguration, on May 18, 2014, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: AFP
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The Arenas das Dunas stadium in Natal, northeastern Brazil, on December 8, 2013. The Arenas das Dunas will host some of the FIFA WC Brazil 2014 football matches. Photo: AFP
The Arenas das Dunas stadium in Natal, northeastern Brazil, on December 8, 2013. The Arenas das Dunas will host some of the FIFA WC Brazil 2014 football matches. Photo: AFP
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A handout satellite image released on May 28, 2014 by Airbus Defence and Space satellites shows the newly built Das Dunas stadium in Natal, which will host games during the World Cup. Photo: AFP
A handout satellite image released on May 28, 2014 by Airbus Defence and Space satellites shows the newly built Das Dunas stadium in Natal, which will host games during the World Cup. Photo: AFP
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Brazilian football fans are seen at the "Arena Fonte Nova" stadium during its official inauguration in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil on April 7, 2013, where Esporte Club Bahia will face Esporte Club Vitoria of the Baiano Championship. Photo: AFP
Brazilian football fans are seen at the "Arena Fonte Nova" stadium during its official inauguration in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil on April 7, 2013, where Esporte Club Bahia will face Esporte Club Vitoria of the Baiano Championship. Photo: AFP
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General view of the National Stadium of Brasilia on April 28, 2013. The National Stadium will host the upcoming Confederations Cup and the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. Photo: AFP
General view of the National Stadium of Brasilia on April 28, 2013. The National Stadium will host the upcoming Confederations Cup and the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. Photo: AFP
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Picture of the National Stadium in Brasilia taken on June 15, 2013 as Brazil and Japan play the opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. Photo: AFP
Picture of the National Stadium in Brasilia taken on June 15, 2013 as Brazil and Japan play the opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. Photo: AFP
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Picture taken inside the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2013 before the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group A football match between Mexico and Italy. Photo: AFP
Picture taken inside the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on June 16, 2013 before the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group A football match between Mexico and Italy. Photo: AFP
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Aerial view of the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Hill and the Mario Filho (Maracana) stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 3, 2013. The Maracana stadium will host the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Photo: AFP
Aerial view of the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Hill and the Mario Filho (Maracana) stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 3, 2013. The Maracana stadium will host the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Photo: AFP
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Picture taken before the start of the second half of FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 semifinal football match between Brazil and Uruguay, at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte on June 26, 2013. Photo: AFP
Picture taken before the start of the second half of FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 semifinal football match between Brazil and Uruguay, at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte on June 26, 2013. Photo: AFP
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A handout photo released by the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism shows an aerial view of Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, taken on August 14, 2013. Photo: AFP
A handout photo released by the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism shows an aerial view of Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, taken on August 14, 2013. Photo: AFP
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A handout satellite image released on May 28, 2014 by Airbus Defence and Space satellites shows the newly built Pantanal stadium in Cuiaba which will host games during the World Cup. The 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil will take place from June 12 to July 13. Photo: AFP
A handout satellite image released on May 28, 2014 by Airbus Defence and Space satellites shows the newly built Pantanal stadium in Cuiaba which will host games during the World Cup. The 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil will take place from June 12 to July 13. Photo: AFP
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Picture of the Pernambuco Arena in Recife, which is hosting matches of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 football tournament, taken on June 18, 2013. Photo: AFP
Picture of the Pernambuco Arena in Recife, which is hosting matches of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 football tournament, taken on June 18, 2013. Photo: AFP
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General view during the official opening of the Arena Pernambuco stadium, in Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil on April 14, 2013. The Arena Pernambuco will host both the upcoming 2013 Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. Photo: AFP
General view during the official opening of the Arena Pernambuco stadium, in Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil on April 14, 2013. The Arena Pernambuco will host both the upcoming 2013 Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. Photo: AFP
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General view of the Fonte Nova Arena Stadium in Salvador, Bahia, northern Brazil, on June 20, 2013. Brazil will face Italy on next June 22, in a Confederations Cup football match. Photo: AFP
General view of the Fonte Nova Arena Stadium in Salvador, Bahia, northern Brazil, on June 20, 2013. Brazil will face Italy on next June 22, in a Confederations Cup football match. Photo: AFP