Jennifer Lopez helped Brazil kick off the 2014 World Cup with a carnival atmosphere at a spectacular opening ceremony.
The singer was joined by rapper Pitbull and Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte as to get the party started with a bang after clashes between police and protesters marred build-up this afternoon.
Sao Paulo's Itaquerao Stadium basked in sunshine as the stars of the show bounced around a giant stage resembling a peeled melon singing "We Are One" on Brazil's Valentine's Day.
Brazil is ready to samba, and plans to teach the world to join in for the coming month during soccer's showcase tournament.
The football-crazed country hoped Thursday's Croatia-Brazil opener would just be the start of a run to extend its record to six World Cup wins.
The field was covered in for the opening ceremony, which cost $8 million, or about $18 million Brazilian reais.
The favourites take on a Croatia side featuring Luka Modric at 9pm British time.
