Streets flooded ahead of US-Germany match

RECIFE, Brazil — A tropical downpour has flooded roads and is slowing traffic to the stadium in northeastern Brazil where the U.S. is playing Germany for a chance to advance into the World Cup's knockout phase.

Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology says more than 3 inches (76 millimeters) of rain has fallen in the city of Recife in the past 24 hours.

As kickoff neared, many streets in Recife were submerged in ankle- to thigh-high water. Several cars were stalled on multilane thoroughfares and cabs were hard to come by.

Rain is expected to continue on and off throughout the day, with temperatures forecast to hover above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).

WJAX