世界杯揭幕戰：我們從中了解到的五件事
1. The atmosphere did not disappoint
1. 比賽氣氛沒有令人失望
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.
即使以愛熱鬧的巴西球迷標準判斷，本場賽前氛圍也異?？駸?。著名的桑巴黃衫軍球迷為半成品體育場掩蓋掉了諸多缺陷，歡欣鼓舞，全力支持主辦國巴西隊。當巴西人進球時， 球迷的吶喊到了極致。
對于世界杯來說，能聽到這樣一群人有這么強烈的熱情和反應，這是難以置信的?？匆幌驴磁_，你可以看到整個城市煙花滿天。這場比賽非常需要桑巴軍團，保持著良好的發展勢頭，讓當地人大飽眼福。如果此次獲得成功，贏球的勢頭將保持下去，為接下來的比賽建立信心。
2. Can Brazil prevail with this defence?
2.靠這樣的防守，巴西能獲勝嗎？
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.
這是一個大家都會問的問題。當阿爾維斯被擱置在前場活動，奧利奇左路帶球傳中，馬塞洛烏龍，克羅地亞首開記錄。
當大衛·路易斯無法接近耶拉維奇，當蒂亞戈·席爾瓦成為這脆弱的四個后衛中唯一一個真正的后衛，這是斯科拉里在下一場面對墨西哥前，需要好好考慮的。這場比賽丹特做了替補，下一場斯科拉里可能會在戰術調整上做出點改變。
或許，他將會堅持自己的想法，直到比賽讓他心有余悸？所以，巴西能夠憑借如此后防贏得此次世界杯冠軍嗎？可能會吧， 但道路可能會有點崎嶇，有點讓人傷腦筋。
3. Croatia’s central midfield isn’t half bad
3. 克羅地亞中前衛也不差
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.
科瓦奇挑選一套非常強勁的攻擊陣容，克羅地亞主教練決定以莫德里奇和伊萬·拉基蒂奇為核心中場，一點也不讓人覺得意外。因為這兩名球員的有能力勝任，甚至比巴西的中場更勝一籌。他們的先天能力和后天努力告訴我們他們應該在本場比賽中獲得回報。墨西哥和喀麥隆都不想在小組賽碰到他們，特別是當曼朱基齊回歸之后，莫德里奇和伊萬·拉基蒂奇仍將是讓球迷心跳停止的球員。
4. The ball did well
4.比賽用球不錯
南非世界杯上的足球“普天同慶”引來諸多爭議，本次世界杯不會使用有問題的足球。2014年巴西世界杯官方比賽用球 “桑巴榮耀”在設計上有所不同， 開創性的球面結構技術，給人的感覺近乎一個籃球。這一想法大概是想為比賽帶來更好的場上控球、觸球、穩定性。我們在圣保羅看到的情況似乎中規中矩。未來巴西人的舉措還有待觀察，最重要的是，大多數球員似乎很相信這個球。
5. Entertainment ahead?
5.娛樂活動未受影響
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.
近年來經常聽到世界杯舉辦國受到了警告和恐嚇，給申請舉辦過程和籌辦過程帶來了麻煩。早些時候，有人預測，情況會有所好轉，但是昨晚的表現足夠地展示了驚心動魄的進球給此次杯賽帶來了希望。
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.
巴西圣保羅的藝人進行了表演，出了他們一份力，他們想證明，世界杯是以積極的態度朝著正確的方向前進的。所以在休息時間，對于梅西和羅納爾多，對于阿扎爾和席爾瓦這些大牌來說，他們將在在接下來的幾周內，繼續這個主題。如果他們能做到，我們將談論這是近年來最好的一屆世界杯。
（譯者 shltt 編輯 齊磊）
