THE 2014 World Cup opening ceremony took place after a dramatic day which saw police fire stun grenades and tear gas at protesters.
WE'RE OFF: After years of waiting Brazil's moment has finally arrived as the 2014 World Cup has got underway [REUTERS]
A spectacular show in Sao Paulo took place with performances from Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull before host nation Brazil took on Croatia in the opening match of football's biggest tournament.
The ceremony was heavily criticised on Twitter after an apparent problem with the sound meant viewers at home struggled to hear as Lopez, Pitbull and Brazilian star Claudia Leitte performed.
The build-up to the spectacle at the Corinthians Arena was overshadowed after around 100 protesters blocked part of the main highway leading to the ground.
They held a banner which read: "If we have no rights, there won't be a World Cup." 
BIG OPENING: Brazil 2014 got underway in grand style [REUTERS]
SAMBA STYLE: As expected the ceremony featured plenty of dancing [EPA] 
SLAMMED: Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull and Claudia Leitte came in for criticism for their performances [REUTERS] 
SHAKE IT: Lopez had not been expected to attend the event [AP]
The station's Sao Paulo producer Barbara Arvanitidis suffered the injuries while live on air.
Her bureau chief Shasta Darlington has tweeted her thanks to those who aided her.
"Thank you to @WyreDavies and cordon of protesters who helped our @Arvanb01 after we were hit by canister at protest," she wrote.
PRESSURE: Brazil expects 22-year-old Neymar to lead them to World Cup glory [EPA] 
HIGH HOPES: Can Luiz Felipe Scolari lead Brazil to another World Cup? [EPA] 
ARRIVAL: Fans begin to arrive at the stadium ahead of the opening game [EPA] 
CELEBRATION: Croatia are hoping to spoil the world's biggest party [EPA] Many Brazilians are outraged at the huge cost of staging the World Cup with the estimated bill placed at £8bn.
But Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has dismissed fears over the tournament.
She said: "What I'm seeing more and more is the welcome given to the teams and the happiness of the Brazilian people with our team."
There is huge pressure on Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his squad to deliver the country's sixth World Cup on home soil. 
FAKE: This man has the replica but Brazil want the real thing [EPA] Scolari guided the Selecao to their last World Cup in 2002 and has said he is "100 per cent" confident he can repeat his achievement this summer.
"To all Brazilians I want to tell you the time has arrived. This is our World Cup," he said on the eve of the tournament.
"There are seven steps. The first step is against Croatia. After that we have six steps that we want to go up if we want to win the World Cup. 
CRUSH: A CNN worker was injured during the protest [REUTERS] Much of the focus will be on 22-year-old Barcelona striker Neymar who is the poster boy of the tournament.
"I am anxious of course but also I'm extremely happy being where I am today because many people would like to be here.
"I really hope I can help my team in the best possible way to fulfil the dream of the players, and Brazilians, which is to win the World Cup."
WE'RE OFF: After years of waiting Brazil's moment has finally arrived as the 2014 World Cup has got underway [REUTERS] The ceremony was heavily criticised on Twitter after an apparent problem with the sound meant viewers at home struggled to hear as Lopez, Pitbull and Brazilian star Claudia Leitte performed.
The build-up to the spectacle at the Corinthians Arena was overshadowed after around 100 protesters blocked part of the main highway leading to the ground.
They held a banner which read: "If we have no rights, there won't be a World Cup."
BIG OPENING: Brazil 2014 got underway in grand style [REUTERS]
SAMBA STYLE: As expected the ceremony featured plenty of dancing [EPA] SLAMMED: Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull and Claudia Leitte came in for criticism for their performances [REUTERS] SHAKE IT: Lopez had not been expected to attend the event [AP] At least one protester was arrested and a producer for CNN is said to have suffered a broken arm during the confrontation.“The first step is against Croatia. After that we have six steps that we want to go up if we want to win the World Cup”Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari
The station's Sao Paulo producer Barbara Arvanitidis suffered the injuries while live on air.
Her bureau chief Shasta Darlington has tweeted her thanks to those who aided her.
"Thank you to @WyreDavies and cordon of protesters who helped our @Arvanb01 after we were hit by canister at protest," she wrote.
PRESSURE: Brazil expects 22-year-old Neymar to lead them to World Cup glory [EPA] HIGH HOPES: Can Luiz Felipe Scolari lead Brazil to another World Cup? [EPA] ARRIVAL: Fans begin to arrive at the stadium ahead of the opening game [EPA] CELEBRATION: Croatia are hoping to spoil the world's biggest party [EPA] But Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has dismissed fears over the tournament.
She said: "What I'm seeing more and more is the welcome given to the teams and the happiness of the Brazilian people with our team."
There is huge pressure on Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his squad to deliver the country's sixth World Cup on home soil.
FAKE: This man has the replica but Brazil want the real thing [EPA] "To all Brazilians I want to tell you the time has arrived. This is our World Cup," he said on the eve of the tournament.
"There are seven steps. The first step is against Croatia. After that we have six steps that we want to go up if we want to win the World Cup.
CRUSH: A CNN worker was injured during the protest [REUTERS] "I am anxious of course but also I'm extremely happy being where I am today because many people would like to be here.
"I really hope I can help my team in the best possible way to fulfil the dream of the players, and Brazilians, which is to win the World Cup."
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