BRAZIL - CROATIA 3:1 (1:1)
World Cup, Group A.
Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo.
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)
Goalscorers: 0:1 - Marcelo (11' - og), 1:1 - Neymar (29'), 2:1 - Neymar (71' - 11m), 3:1 - Oscar (90+1')
Yellow cards: Neymar (27'), Ćorluka (66'), Lovren (70'), Luiz Gustavo (88')
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Marcelo, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Paulinho (63' Hernanes), Luiz Gustavo, Willian, Neymar (88' Ramires), Hulk (68' Bernard), Fred. Head coach: L. Scolari.
Croatia: Pletikosa, Vrsaljko, Ćorluka, Lovren, Srna, Modrić, Rakitić, Perišić, Kovačić (61' Brozović), Olić, Jelavić (78' Rebić). Head coach: N. Kovač.
The World Cup opening ceremony and the opening match Brazil - Croatia was hosted by the city of Sao Paulo on 12 June.
Croatia drew first blood. After Kovačić and Olić missed opportunities, Olić sent a low cross from the left in the 11th minute, and Jelavić's touch made Marcelo put the ball into his own net.
However, Brazil stepped up and Croatian goalkeeper Pletikosa was called into action to stop Paulinho and Oscar. In 29th minute, Neymar took a low shot from outside of the box, with the ball hitting the post and ending in the Croatian net.
Hulk also had an opportunity just before halftime, but at the break the score stayed level.
Brazil had the upper hand in the opening minutes of the second half as well, but Croatia managed to slowly balance the match, only to fall behind in the 71st minute. Referee showed to the penalty spot after Lovren - Fred duel, and Neymar's effort made it 2:1, even though Pletikosa guessed right.
Niko Kovač's men were in search of an equalizer in the final minutes, but Modrić, Ćorluka and Perišić could not find the target.
Oscar sealed the victory for the Brazilians in the first minute of added time, while Croatia turns to Cameroon and Mexico matches.
