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Friday, November 13, 2026Nov 13

BRAZIL BEAT: On match day, more than football

Chile soccer fans, some wearing a representation of their country's national flag, wait on a subway platform for a passenger car, on their way to Itaquerao Stadium, to see the World Cup group B match against the Netherlands in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. Both teams having already qualified for the round of 16, Monday's match will decide which of them wins Group B. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)
Chile soccer fans, some wearing a representation of their country's national flag, wait on a subway platform for a passenger car, on their way to Itaquerao Stadium, to see the World Cup group B match against the Netherlands in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. Both teams having already qualified for the round of 16, Monday's match will decide which of them wins Group B. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills) Chile soccer fans, some wearing a representation of their country's national flag, wait on a subway platform for a passenger car, on their way to Itaquerao Stadium, to see the World Cup group B match against the Netherlands in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. Both teams having already qualified for the round of 16, Monday's match will decide which of them wins Group B. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)

SAO PAULO (AP) – Hours before Brazil’s match Monday, several men set up on either side of enormous Avenida Paulista to pass out their booklets.

“Vitoria 2014,” written in 13 languages, reminds everyone their Christian beliefs are not about football victories at all.

The pamphlet quoted Bible verses and referenced the Olympics in ancient Greece.

– By Janie McCauley – www.twitter.com/JanieMcCAP

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