Cuiaba under construction as Cup comes to town

World Cup venue Cuiaba's road network is undergoing a facelift of Hollywood proportions.
The charming provincial venue for today's clash between Chile and Australia may be the smallest of all the 2014 World Cup cities, but it can proudly put in a claim to have the mother of all roadworks.
Fans emerging from the Green City's airport this week were greeted by tarmac chaos -- an asphalt lunar landscape, but unlike the Moon, without the nice view of Earth.
A multitude of man-made craters -- a health hazard for any caipirinha-guzzling supporter -- mounds of sand, cement mixers, and heavily-laden trucks with claxons blaring, made life trying for the average hire car.

The terrain was more suited to a 4x4, or better still a Sherman tank.
"It's a mess," taxi-driver Eduardo, a cuiabano, happily conceded.

"But once it's finished, it'll make life easier for us."
Like the city, Cuiaba's brand new stadium, the Arena Pantanal, has endured its own frustrations, and even tragedy -- a worker was electrocuted last month -- on its way to hosting four first round matches.
Legal disputes held up work at the 40,000-seater eco-friendly site but it eventually received its FIFA seal of approval.
On Thursday a posse of workmen were defying sizzling 34 degree celsius heat to apply the final touches ahead of the following day's 2200 GMT kick-off.

The pitch looked for the most part pristine, although one of the goalmouths was a bit threadbare.