(CNN) -- The opening day of the World Cup brought joy and sadness to the host nation as Brazil won its first game, rallying to defeat Croatia 3-1. But it was a day marred by a small, but contentious, protest over the billions spent on the sports spectacle. Here are five things that happened Thursday as the first ball was kicked in Sao Paulo. Protest problems The most expensive World Cup is underway. Brazilian officials shelled out $11 billion on the tournament, three times what organizers in South Africa spent for the 2010 Cup. Not surprisingly, there are Brazilians who believe the money could have been better spent.
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Some protesters think Brazil is not rich enough to spend so much money for a sporting event
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Man takes ceremonial first kick in robotic outfit controlled by his brain
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Three doves were released before the match and bad things happened
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U.S., Belgium had to change plans for a scrimmage due to potential travel troubles
Perhaps they should have rescheduled and traveled during the Brazil-@placeholder match; the roads of Sao Paulo were practically empty then.