After a colourful and spectacular start last night in Sao Paulo, things ramp up a notch on day two of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as three matches take place across Brazil, live on BBC One and ITV.
The second day kicks off with the group A match between Cameroon and Mexico at the Arena Das Dunas in Natal, in the first of two live games on ITV.
Cameroon’s evergreen striker Samuel Eto’o will lead from the front as he gets set to play in his fourth World Cup against a Mexican side who qualified for the World Cup via a play off win against New Zealand.
With hosts Brazil and Croatia also featuring in a tough group, both teams will be out to make a strong start.
BBC Sport’s first live game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is the mouth-watering clash in Group B as Spain take on the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2010 final.
The Spanish, of course, lifted the trophy in South Africa four years ago for the first time in their history courtesy of Andres Iniesta’s dramatic goal in extra time.
Vicente del Bosque’s side have been the dominant force in international football but will be out to prove wrong those who believe they are a fading force.
They face a Dutch side coached by Louis van Gaal, who is off to Manchester United after the tournament.
The action concludes with a late-night clash as Australia, led by the Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak, face a tough opener against a strong Chile side, for whom Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez will be the biggest threat.
You can watch all 64 matches from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil live across the BBC and ITV, with live streaming available online across multiple platforms.
Visit our dedicated World Cup page – sport-onthebox.com/worldcup – for a full rundown of everything you need to know.
SOTB’s TV viewing guide to Day 2 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup:
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DAY 2: FRIDAY 13th JUNE
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| GROUP A LIVE: 4.00pm-7.10pm Venue: Natal |
Presenter: Adrian Chiles
Pundits: Fabio Cannavaro, Glenn Hoddle, Patrick Vieira
Commentators: Sam Matterface & Clarke Carlisle
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WATCH LIVE ONLINE via ITV PLAYER
Day two’s live coverage kicks off in Natal with the second Group A clash between Mexico and Cameroon, live on ITV.
While they will naturally be determined to avoid defeat, the benefits of picking up three points in an intriguing group may lead to this being an entertaining and attacking match.
The hosts and Croatia still lie in wait and, while Brazil are clearly expected to progress, the respective merits of these sides, along with the Croatians, are less clear cut.
While next to nothing can be gauged from the previous meeting between the teams – a sole friendly in Los Angeles in 1993 – Cameroon qualified in far greater style than the Mexicans, who needed a play-off victory against New Zealand to avoid the ignominy of missing out on the finals for the first time since 1990.
The Indomitable Lions’ had no such problems, as they topped their group and then defeated Tunisia 4-1 in their play-off, with a squad that included Eto’o, Alexandre Song and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, all of whom have Premier League experience.
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| GROUP A LIVE: 7.30pm-10.10pm Venue: Salvador |
Presenter: Gary Lineker
Pundits: Rio Ferdinand, Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer
Commentators: Steve Wilson & Mark Lawrenson
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WATCH LIVE ONLINE via BBC iPLAYER
BBC Sport’s first live game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is the mouth-watering clash in Group B as Spain take on the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2010 final.
Taking place at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Spain enter the tournament as the reigning champions after beating the Dutch in a tempestuous finale to the tournament in South Africa four years ago.
What was expected to be a showpiece contest turned into an ill-tempered affair that produced 14 yellow cards, and saw Dutch player Johnny Heitinga sent off following a second booking in extra time, shortly before Spain produced a winner through Andres Iniesta.
This evening’s fixture could prove to be another cagey encounter, especially as both nations will be eager to start the campaign with a positive result, as they attempt to navigate their passage to the knockout stage from a group that also includes Australia and Chile.
While the Spanish side will be among the favourites for glory once again after winning their last three major tournaments and reaching the final of the Confederations Cup in Brazil last year, the Dutch will fancy their chances after going undefeated in the qualifying campaign, winning nine of their 10 fixtures.
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| GROUP B LIVE: 10.35pm-1.15am Venue: Cuiaba |
Presenter: Matt Smith
Pundits: Gus Poyet, Gordon Strachan, Ian Wright
Commentators: Joe Speight & Lee Dixon
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WATCH LIVE ONLINE via ITV PLAYER
Rounding off day two is the second clash in Group B between Chile and Australia at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba.
With matches against Spain and the Netherlands to follow, both of these nations will see this clash as arguably their best opportunity to register a victory, and boost their chances of reaching the knockout stage.
This will be Australia’s third consecutive appearance at a World Cup finals, and their second since moving to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.
Their previous best performance at a tournament came in 2006 when they reached the last 16 before being eliminated by Italy, courtesy of an injury-time penalty.
Chile’s record in reaching the finals is mixed, having qualified for four of the previous 10 tournaments, and aside from a third-place finish in 1962 have only progressed beyond the group stage twice.
History appears to be on their side for this encounter though, having won three of the previous meetings between the two, with the other ending in a 0-0 draw at the 1974 World Cup.
ITV’s coverage will also include highlights of the earlier Spain v Netherlands match, in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup Final when Spain came out on top.
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| DAY 1: BRAZIL v CROATIA (Repeat) 7.40am-8.20am BBC Two |
Presenter: Mark Chapman
Pundits: Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy
Commentators: Guy Mowbray & Phil Neville (BRA v CRO)
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WATCH LIVE ONLINE via BBC iPLAYER
Another opportunity to see the best of the action and reaction from the opening game of the 2014 World Cup between Brazil and Croatia.
Brazil kicked off the tournament in Sao Paulo as favourites after being revitalised under 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Group A opponents Croatia only qualified via the play-offs but boast a formidable midfield led by Spain-based pair Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.
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SPORT ON THE BOX’S COMPLETE WORLD CUP TV GUIDE
Friday 13th June Match of the Day: World Cup Highlights – Day 1 7.40am-8.20am BBC Two (rpt) MEXICO v CAMEROON Group A – Natal | Kick-off: 17:00 LIVE: 4.00pm-7.10pm ITV SPAIN v NETHERLANDS Group B – Salvador | Kick-off: 20:00 LIVE: 7.30pm-10.10pm BBC One / Replay: 2.10am-3.55am BBC Two CHILE v AUSTRALIA Group B – Cuiaba | Kick-off: 23:00 LIVE: 10.35pm-1.15am ITV.
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