It is match day, and a fine one. Monday is warm and bright at 28°C with barely a cloud, but for all the sunshine the whole city has one eye on the football this afternoon.
The wait is over. As Group C winners, Brazil face Japan in the round of 32 in Houston today, kicking off at 2 pm BRT, a tougher tie than the favourites’ billing suggests.
The new week opens on a confident note. The Bovespa closed last week flying, up near 3% as inflation worries eased, with the dollar holding around R$5.17 into Monday’s session.
A working Monday with a 2 pm centrepiece, then. Steal a morning by the sea if you can, then find a screen for the knockout football.
Rio de Janeiro Daily Brief for Monday, June 29, 2026. Photo: The Rio Times archive.
