13 June 2014 marks a first in FIFA World Cup history: the two finalists from the previous edition will go head-to-head in the group stage four years on. Reigning champions Spain go into the tournament having prolonged their stranglehold by defending their UEFA European Championship title at EURO 2012, where they beat Italy in the final. The Netherlands, on the other hand, suffered a hangover from their defeat in the South Africa 2010 showpiece and lost all three of their group fixtures at the EUROs, falling to Germany, Portugal and Denmark. However, having sailed through qualifying as usual, Arjen Robben and Co are out for revenge against La Roja.
Hotly fancied Chile, meanwhile, can ill afford to drop points against Australia if they are to gatecrash the European big guns' party in what is one of the so-called "Groups of Death".Lastly, Samuel Eto'o's Cameroon are hungry for success, having failed to make it out of their group in any of their recent finals appearances (in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010). Nevertheless, despite a tumultuous qualifying campaign, it would be foolish to write off Mexico, who showed what they are capable of by lifting gold at the 2012 Olympics in London.
The matches
Mexico - Cameroon (Group A), Estadio das Dunas, Natal, 13:00 (local time)
Spain - Netherlands (Group B), Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, 16:00 (local time)
Chile - Australia (Group B), Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, 18:00 (local time)
Did you know?
Milla's milestones: Cameroonian legend Roger Milla is the holder of two interesting World Cup records. He is the oldest scorer at the finals, having plundered a consolation effort in Cameroon's 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Russia on 28 June 1994, at the age of 42 and one month. What's more, just four days earlier, the veteran had made history by lining up alongside 17-year-old Rigobert Song, 24 years and 42 days his junior, on the youngster's World Cup debut. This remains the largest ever on-pitch age gap between team-mates at the tournament.
Three into two doesn't go: Mexico and Croatia were previously paired in the same group back in 2002. In fact, 12 years ago to the day, El Tri drew 1-1 with Italy to sew up top spot, while Croatia – who had finished third overall at France 1998 – lost to Ecuador and ended up third again, only this time in the group, just a point behind the Italians.