Protests Sink Rousseff Bid to Buff Brazil Image With Soccer

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff planned to use this month’s Confederations Cup soccer tournament to showcase her country’s readiness to stage the World Cup next year. Instead, it’s become the venue for mass protests on whether the Cup is worth the cost.

Two died and hundreds were injured as 1 million took to the streets throughout Brazil earlier this week to demand cheaper bus fare, better schools and more hospitals, while criticizing the 30 billion reais ($13 billion) spent to prepare stadiums and cities for the world’s most watched sporting event. Thousands have been demonstrating in cities throughout Brazil today as the national squad beat Italy in its third Cup match. Protesters in Belo Horizonte where Mexico defeated Japan clashed with police.