Shakira, Santana Electrify World Cup 2014 Closing Ceremony
Ahead of the World Cup final clash between Germany and Argentina, Shakira and Santana add a musical touch to bring down curtains on the global event.
23.20 (IST): Little popstar! Shakira took her young son Milan on stage during her senastional performance.
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23.09 (IST): The closing ceremony ends with some local flavour, as Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo gets the fans on their feet. The music ends here! Now for some serious footballing action as free-scoring Germany tussle against Messi & Co. for the coveted World Cup title. Follow all the updates here.
23.00 (IST): After an electrifying performance from Shakira, renowned guitarist Carlos Santana is now on stage.
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22.56 (IST): The Colombian superstar Shakira is in the middle now, starts of with her World Cup song La, la, la.
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22.55 (IST): Two free-style footballers are now enthralling the crowd with their skillful moves with musical beats to culminate the Brazilian flavour.
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22.53 (IST): Dancers with the flags of the two finalists -- Germany and Argentina-- are now the centre of attraction.
22.51 (IST): The closing ceremony has begun! Twenty two Samba dancers are gracing the centre-stage at the Maracana.
22.32 (IST): The fans are all up and dancing. A festive mood grips Rio as the closing ceremony is about to commence.
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21.40 (IST): Shakira is all ready to dazzle during the closing ceremony. This is what she tweeted:
Just TWO HOURS until the #WorldCup Closing Ceremony, feat Shak performing La La La (Brazil 2014)! ShakHQ #GER #ARG pic.twitter.com/NQfAvnlpaY
- Shakira (@shakira) July 13, 2014
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After J Lo's Opening Act, Shakira to sizzle in closing ceremony
Colombian star Shakira, Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana, Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo and a samba school will lead the musical entertainment at Sunday's World Cup closing ceremony.
The show will start at 2230 IST, an hour and a half before Argentina and Germany emerge to do battle at the Maracana stadium in Rio.
Also on the bill are Haitian hip hop star Wyclef Jean and Brazilian singer Alexandre Pires, who will sing the theme tune "Dar um Jeito (We Will Find A Way)" as fans pour into the venue for the trophy match.
Following the opening song, Shakira, performing at her third World Cup, will bound on stage to sing "La la la (Brazil 2014)" alongside home favorite Carlinhos Brown.
Germany and Argentina battle for Ultimate Prize
Germany expect the experience that runs through their team to give them the edge over Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final after admitting they restrained themselves when they thumped Brazil in the semi-finals. (Catch Live Updates Here)
Germany ruined the samba nation's dream of winning the World Cup when they hammered Brazil 7-1 on Tuesday but forward Thomas Mueller revealed it could have been worse.
The Europeans were leading 5-0 at halftime and decided during the break that they would not embarrass the hosts by showboating with fancy passes or trick shots
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How Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull Gave World Cup 2014 a Blazing Start
American star Jennifer Lopez added a dash of glamour to the colourful World Cup opening ceremony on Thursday in a vivid contrast to the violent anti-tournament protests in the city.
J-Lo, wearing a carnival-inspired and revealing green outfit, appeared from a trapdoor along with rapper Pitbull to sing the official World Cup song with Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte. (FIFA World Cup 2014 Opening Ceremony highlights)
The ceremony was held ahead of the opening game between Brazil and Croatia. (Read more)