Brazilians protest soccer match as lead-up to World Cup BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, June 27 (UPI) -- Police in Brazil used tear gas on protesters who gathered outside a soccer field to protest the cost of the upcoming 2014 World Cup. About 50,000 protesters gathered Wednesday at the stadium in Belo Horizonte during the Brazil-Uruguay Confederations Cup match, the BBC reported. The match was considered a dress rehearsal for the 2014 World Cup, which protesters have argued cost too much. Protests in Brazil began two weeks ago over higher bus fares, but then were focused on government corruption and the cost of next year's soccer tournament. In Brasilia, protesters lined up 594 soccer balls in front of Parliament to show the "ball is in the court of the Congress to pass the reforms demanded by those on the streets," one of the protesters said. Demonstrators are also calling for more spending on healthcare and education. Brazil beat Uruguay in Wednesday's game, qualifying for the final of the tournament, the BBC said.