SAO PAULO – The opening game of the 2014 World Cup began with Brazil facing Croatia with the host nation fully expected to produce a performance. But a mistake by Real Madrid’s Marcelo saw the hosts go behind after some good play from Ivan Rakitic and Ivica Olic, whose cross was turned in the full-back.
Brazil then began to get in to their stride and produced some good chances, with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho coming close, stinging the palms of Stipe Pletikosa in the Croatian goal.
Neymar then took charge of the game and his mazy run saw Oscar played in, but Darijo Srna was equal to it and the Croatian full-back cleared well.
However, Srna and his side could do nothing about Neymar’s next effort, when the Barcelona forward took the ball in his stride before unleashing a low drive past Pletikosa.
It remained 1-1 until the break but the hosts came out in the second half in similar mood, attempting to overturn the result and go ahead.
And, they did when Fred was hauled down in the area by Southampton defender Dejan Lovren, allowing Brazil’s Golden Child Neymar to step up and send his penalty past a helpless Pletikosa.
2-1 to Brazil, but that did not stop the likes of Luka Modric, Rakitic and Ivica Olic from trying and the latter almost scored an equaliser when he jumped with Julio Cesar in the box but the referee blew up for a foul on the QPR keeper.
Moments later and Chelsea midfielder Oscar would break and send a low drive past Pletikosa, giving the host nation a opening day victory and gain three vital points.