The attacking trio of Oscar, Neymar and Hulk provided a real threat, while Ramires and Paulinho had recently shone in the center of midfield.

CNN: Brazil coach Menezes sacked ahead of 2014 World Cup

Plows and shovels were used to clear the penalty areas, center circle and midfield stripe as snow got heavier, and a yellow-and-purple ball was used.

WSJ: Americans Beat Costa Rica 1-0 in Snow

The Basque native can play in central midfield, or as a center-back.

CNN: Javi Martinez completes "complicated" transfer to Bayern