In what turned out to be a brilliant start to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, hosts and tournament favorites Brazil beat Croatia 3-1 at the opener in Sao Paulo’s Itaquerão stadium. Neymar scored two goals and Oscar chipped in with one more in second half stoppage time to seal the game for the Selecao. Croatia got their lone goal , courtesy Real Madrid Left Back Marcelo’s touch into his own net.
The first few minutes of the game had possession equally split between the two sides. With the home fans expecting Brazil to go on the scoresheet, Ivica Olic’s 10th minute cross saw Marcelo turning it into his own goal. Marcelo wasn’t to be blamed for the same as the ball was hidden from his sight by his own Centre Backs and Croatian forward Jelavic. Brazil’s fortune didn’t seem to be looking up as Neymar was soon carded in the 27th minute for a foul on Neymar. But in the very next minute Neymar scored with left footed shot which just went past the reach of Croatian custodian Pletikosa and went in off the inside of the post following a fight for possession in the midfield with Oscar winning the ball and pushing it on to Neymar .
Brazil’s dominance grew towards the end of the first half with more chances created thanks to Neymar and Oscar. The first 20 minutes of the second half was seen out with either side fighting for the ball and Brazil creating a few chances. The match turned over when Brazil was awarded a penalty in the 70th minute when Southampton Centre Back Lovren fouled Fred in the box. Neymar stepped up to score the second goal for Brazil and himself putting them ahead 2-1. The penalty created waves of anger amongst the Croats because replays clearly showed that there was very minimal contact from Lovren .
The Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura left his credentials to be questioned further when he awarded a foul to Brazil in their Penalty box following a clash between Jelavic and Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar. It was a 50-50 challenge which could’ve gone either way but the decision did not seem to go well with scores of people around the world.
Oscar scored a 3rd for Brazil in stoppage time to put the game beyond any doubt for the hosts . Throughout the game Oscar was clearly seen to be the most hardworking player on the field . His presence was immense in the Brazilian side today and the goal , well deserved.
The Croatians deserved much more than what the score line reflects. Veterans Ivica Olic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic clearly showed that they were not to be taken easily.
Brazil :
Star Performer : Oscar (1 goal, 1 assist )– Immense presence in midfield and the Right wing. Single handedly created many chances which were key to Brazil’s victory today. Oscar is also our Man of the Match for today’s game.
Flop : Hulk – The Zenit wing forward could not show his might and attacking prowess as he was stranded in the pockets of Croatian captain Darijo Srna for a major part of the match. This saw him being substituted and Bernard take his place for the final third of the match.
Croatia :
Star Performer : Ivica Olic – The 34 year old former Bayern star was filled with energy right from the start and found his way around Dani Alves in the left wing position where he played today.
Flop : Mateo Kovacic – The young 20 yr old from Inter Milan was expected to do great things for this side but his lack of experience and sync with the others in the squad was clearly visible from his performance today.
Author: Aravindh Ravi
