Brazil 3-1 Croatia: Neymar inspired hosts come from behind to win

Brazil 3-1 Croatia: Neymar inspired hosts come from behind to win

Brazil started their World Cup campaign in the best
possible way as they came from a goal down to
defeat Croatia 3-1 in the opening match of the
tournament this evening.
Croatia started brightly here, getting the first chance
of the game in the 7th minute as Ivan Perisic swung
an exquisite cross into the path of Ivica Olic, who
could only nod his effort wide having lost his
marker.
But the Europeans didn’t have to wait long as they
went ahead four minutes later as Marcelo
inadvertently turned Olic’s low cross into his own
net.
That goal seemed to jolt Brazil to life as they
started pushing for the equalizer and almost got one
in the 21st minute when Paulinho stung the palms
of Stipe Pletikosa after a darting run into the box.
Neymar then went on a dazzling run down the line
before pulling the ball back into a dangerous area
inside the box.
The equalizer came on 30 minutes and it was the
poster boy of this World Cup, Neymar, who got it.
His effort from 25 yards trickled just beyond the
reach of the keeper and in off the post.
That was how it remained until the interval as both
sides went into the dressing room all square.
The hosts started the second half as they ended the
first, forcing the Croatians to defend in numbers as
they probed for the second goal.
It was a rather scrappy affair from that point till the
hour mark as both sides struggled to create any
meaningful openings.
But that would change just ten minutes later as
Brazil were awarded a penalty after Dejan Lovren
was adjudged to have fouled Fred in the box.
Neymar stepped up and converted, albeit rather
fortuitously as Pletikosa got finger tips to it.
It was an open affair from that point as Brazil went
in search of the winning goal while Croatia probed
for the leveler . The visitors did get the ball in the
net, but it was ruled out after the referee spotted an
infringement on Julio Cesar by Olic.
Cesar was at his best minutes later to deny Perisic
and the home side broke up the other end and put
the result beyond doubt courtesy of a delightful toe-
poke finish into the corner from outside the box by
the very impressive Oscar.