Neymar Goal Helped Brazil to Win the Opening Game

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 11^th 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 29^th minute and then gave the much needed lead in the 71^st 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. 29^th Minute and 71^st Minute (via penalty), Oscar 90+1 minute

Croatia (1) – Marcello (Own goal 11^th 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