Two goals from Neymar and a late Oscar strike inspired Brazil to a
3-1 comeback victory over Croatia in the opening game of the 2014
World Cup.
The host nation fell behind to an early own goal from Marcelo, before
Neymar was perhaps fortunate to be shown just a yellow card after
catching Luka Modric in the throat with a stray arm.
Soon after, the 22-year-old levelled with a fine 25-yard effort on his
left foot, before converting a controversial second half penalty after
Dejan Lovren was adjudged to have brought down Fred.
And as the game entered injury-time, man-of-the-match Oscar sped
forward and toe-poked home an effort from the edge of the box to give
Brazil breathing space and, most importantly, three points.
While Brazil had the luxury of naming the same side that started last
year's Confederations Cup final success over Spain, Croatia were
without suspended striker Mario Mandzukic, leaving Nikica Jelavic to
lead the line in his absence.
Also without injured left-back Danijel Pranjic, Croatia fired the
first shot in anger as Mateo Kovacic steered an effort wide in the
first minute.
Brazil's first significant foray forward saw David Luiz's tame header
saved, but the pressure was on them at the other end of the pitch.
Ivica Olic's header wide served as a warning for Brazil, and it was one
they did not heed, as Croatia claimed a surprise 11th-minute lead.
Olic galloped down the left wing in space before crossing for Jelavic, and
although he could only scuff a left-foot shot, his effort was inadvertently
steered in by Marcelo from six yards.
Brazil's initial response was frantic and anxious, but they soon found
their rhythm, with Neymar's run to the byline and subsequent centre causing
panic, and almost the equaliser, as Oscar saw a 20-yard left-foot effort
superbly saved by Pletikosa after Croatia failed to clear their lines.
Neymar's contact with Modric then drew an angry response, with replays
showing that the Barcelona star had caught the midfielder in the throat
with a stray arm, before Jelavic headed straight at Brazil goalkeeper Julio
Cesar.
Croatia's promising start was undone in the 29th minute, though, as Oscar,
who did superbly in a cluster of players to find Neymar, watched his
team-mate trickle a left-foot strike past Pletikosa and in off the inside
of the post from 25 yards.
A lull was inevitable following half an hour of mayhem, but it lasted
longer than expected, and although Brazil shaded the early stages of the
second half, the best they had to show for it was a Dani Alves free-kick
that sailed over.
That was until Nishimura pointed to the spot after Oscar's ball to Fred
brought about slight contact from Lovren.
Neymar's stuttering run-up was far from convincing, and his tame effort
ought to have been kept out by Pletikosa, but the goalkeeper could only get
a hand to the shot on its way into the net.
A sublime Oscar cross nearly brought about Brazil's third goal, only for
Luiz to head over, while at the other end Croatia's hard luck was summed up
by Ivan Perisic's disallowed goal, ruled out because of Olic's minimal
contact with Cesar.
Modric and Vedran Corluka both went close as well, as Croatia mounted a
late charge, but Oscar's composed finish capped a stunning performance from
the midfielder, as the hosts opened the World Cup with a victory.
