Sidelights:
Without any doubt that Neymar was the hero of the opening game of the FIFA World Cup 2014 for the Brazilians who took them out of the initial troubles. After Marcelo’s own goal on the 11th minute the mood in the stadium was somber they could not believe what they have just seen, but then they rallied behind their team and the star and the owner of Brazil’s jersey no. 10 Neymar first equalized it in the 29th minute and then gave the much needed lead in the 71st minute when Lovren fouled and Neymar turned the penalty into a goal. In the dying moments of the game Oscar, who fired the ball from the edge of the box made it sure that Brazil finishes with a healthy lead of 3-0. Croatia on the other hand too had their moments. They even net the ball once, just before the end of the game, but Olic was adjudged to have fouled Julio Ceasar in the build up to that goal. Plus they were playing some dangerous football in the first half itself, even when Brazil was dominating the possession. Croatia was always looking for an counter attack all the time.
FIFA World Cup 2014 | Match 1 | Brazil Vs Croatia
Stadium: Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo
Match Officials: Yuichi Nishimura (Referee) | Toru Sagara (Japan – Assisten Referee 1) | Toshiyuki Nagi (Japan – Assistant Referee 2) | Alireza Faghani (Iran)
Lineups (Brazil Vs Croatia)
Brazil: 12. Julio Cesar (Goal Keeper), 2. Dani Alves, 3. Thiago Silva, 4. David Luiz, 6. Marcelo, 7. Hulk, 8. Paulinho, 9. Fred, 10. Neymar Jr., 11. Oscar, 17. Luiz Gustavo
Luiz Felipe Scolari (Coach)
Croatia: 1. Pletikosa (Goal Keeper), 2. Vrsaljko, 4. Perisic, 5. Corluka, 6. Lovren, 7. Rakitic, 9. Jelavic, 10. Modric, 11. Srna, 18. Olic, 20. Kovacic
Niko Kovac (CRO)
Substitutions:
Brazil:
63’ – Hernanes IN – Paulinho OUT
68’ – Bernard IN – Hulk OUT
88’ – Ramires IN – Neymar Jr. OUT
Croatia:
61’ – Brozovic IN – Kovacic OUT
78 – Rebic IN – Jelavic OUT
Yellow Cards:
Brazil: Neymar Jr. and Luiz Gustavo
Croatia: Corluka and Lovren
Goals:
Brazil (3) – Neymar Jr. 29th Minute and 71st Minute (via penalty), Oscar 90+1 minute
Croatia (1) – Marcello (Own goal 11th Minute)
Man of the match: Neymar Jr. (Brazil)
FINAL SCORE LINE: BRAZIL 3 – 1 CROATIA
Important Fact About the Game:
- Marcello’s own goal is the first ever own goal scored by a Brazilian player in the history of FIFA World Cup.
In the PIC: Neymar celebrates his second goal
Picture Courtesy: fifa.com