One week, and twenty games into the 2014 FIFA World Cup, there have already been some dramatic matches and surprising results, including the early elimination of Spain, the defending champion. Thousands of fans from around the world are in attendance in Brazil, while millions more are watching from home, setting new records in internet-video volume. Host nation Brazil appears to be living up to its obligations so far, despite early worries about readiness. Gathered here are images from the first few games, and some of the fans riding the emotional rollercoaster of cheering for their teams as they battle in Brazil.
The 2014 World Cup, Part I
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Wrapped in a Spanish national flag, a soccer fan reacts in frustration as she watches the live broadcast of the World Cup match between Spain and the Netherlands inside the FIFA Fan Fest area on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 13, 2014. #
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Robin van Persie of the Netherlands scores the team's first goal with a diving header in the first half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, on June 13, 2014. #
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Fans cheer before the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 12, 2014. #
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Men watch the 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match between the Netherlands and Australia on a laptop, at a camel market in Daba near Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on June 18, 2014. #
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Soccer fans celebrate the second goal scored by Brazil striker Neymar, during a live broadcast at a World Cup viewing party at the Jockey Club, in Rio de Janeiro on June 12, 2014. #
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A fan donning miniature national flags representing Italy, Germany, Mexico, France, Spain, Brazil and Bosnia in her hair smiles, prior to the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, on June 17, 2014. #
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People sit on sofas as they watch the opening game of the 2014 World Cup between Brazil and Croatia, during a public viewing event at the Alte Foersterei stadium in Berlin on June 12, 2014. Berlin's Union soccer club has invited its supporters to bring their sofas to its stadium to watch World Cup soccer matches on a giant screen in a communal living room atmosphere. #
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Brazilian patient Luana, 10, talks with her doctor before the 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Cancer Itaci Hospital in Sao Paulo on June 17, 2014. #
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Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa makes a save during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza on June 17, 2014. #
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An Argentinian soccer fan holds a statue of the Virgin Mary and a portrait of player Lionel Messi as he gathers with others to watch Argentina's World Cup match with Bosnia on an outdoor screen set up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 15, 2014. #
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Honduras players Roger Espinoza, left, and Luis Garrido complain to referee Sandro Ricci from Brazil after he awarded a goal to France using goal line technology during the group E World Cup soccer match between France and Honduras in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 15, 2014. #
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Ivory Coast's Serey Die is overcome with emotion, hearing his country's national anthem played before the group C World Cup soccer match between Colombia and Ivory Coast in Brasilia on June 19, 2014. #
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United States' Clint Dempsey celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between Ghana and the United States in Natal, Brazil, on June 16, 2014. #
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Soccer fans react at a viewing party at a restaurant in Pittsburgh after watching the United States score in the opening minute of play against Ghana in a World Cup soccer match in Brazil. The United States won the match 2-1. #
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Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa fails to make a save as Brazil's Oscar scores his side's third goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014. #
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Pepe of Portugal headbutts Thomas Mueller of Germany resulting in a red card during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Germany and Portugal in Salvador, Brazil, on June 16, 2014. #
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Brazil's Paulinho (8) watches as Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa punches the ball clear of the goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Mexico in Fortaleza on June 17, 2014. #
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Joe Hart of England lands in the net after allowing Italy's second goal to Mario Balotelli of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match on June 14, 2014 in Manaus, Brazil. #
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A fan of Switzerland, carrying a child, takes a photo before their 2014 World Cup Group E soccer match against Ecuador at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia on June 15, 2014. #
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Oribe Peralta of Mexico celebrates his goal in the second half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas on June 13, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. #
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Australian fans interview one another while waiting for the start the group B World Cup soccer match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 18, 2014. #
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Spanish fans react while watching their team play against the Chileans on a giant screen showing the FIFA World Cup match between Spain and Chile in Madrid, Spain, on June 18, 2014. #
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Spain's Sergio Busquets reacts after missing a chance to score a goal during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match against Chile at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro June 18, 2014. Spain, current football World Cup champion, was eliminated from the competition after losing the match 2-0. #
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Brazil fans kiss after watching Brazil play Mexico in their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at a public viewing area on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on June 17, 2014. #
Reuters/Lucas Landau
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