BRAZIL, THE WORLD CUP NATION

Brazil scored the first goal of the 2014 World Cup and it would've been a perfect way to start their second turn as host nation had they not scored the goal on themselves. 

But just two minutes later, just as he did at the 2013 Confederations Cup, Neymar scored the first goal in Brazil's favor to make it 1-1 in the 29th minute and prompt a relieved host nation to erupt with joy.

Neymar added a second goal with a penalty off the hands of Croatia's goalkeeper in the 71st minute after Fred fell down to draw the undeserved call in the box. 

That made it 2-1 Brazil. Oscar then sealed it for Brazil by adding another goal during injury time and Brazil came away with a 3-1 win most people expected, but in a way few predicted.

However, this is a modern economic history of Brazil and its rise from heavy laden debt and high inflation in the 1990s to stability and wealth in the new millennium, under influential Worker's Party President Ignacio Lula da Silva.

Its currency is now stable and a favourable trade balance in natural resources with major powers like China makes it now an IMF creditor rather than debtor. 

Using archive and interviews in Portuguese and English, the film examines some of the reasons for the country's difficulties last century - and its subsequent recovery in the past decade. 

Interviews with former Minister for Social Development, Patrus Ananias, opposition politicians and social/economic commentators describe how, under da Silva, millions of Brazilians were taken out of poverty and a new middle class began to enjoy relative prosperity. 

Hosting the World Cup has grown out of this new-found affluence - but so have the protests about the cost of the tournament in relation to the reforms many think are still needed to the country's infrastructure, health and education.

Source: Al Jazeera