Neymar stars as Brazil win opener

JUN 13 - Neymar stole the show as Brazil fought against eminent loss to open the World Cup with a triumph over Croatia in Sao Paulo, yet the match turned on a dubious punishment.

The notice kid of this World Cup came into the competition with the obligation of conveying Brazil the trophy they prize most importantly else.

At the Arena de Sao Paulo, he ventures up to the imprint, discovering the net either side of half-time to bring Brazil back from the verge after Marcelo had scored an early own objective.

Oscar solidified the result with a brilliant individual objective late on yet the hero worship went to the human together the No.,ten, on his back side.

Neymar's first objective was a low, clearing exertion that crawled into the net from 25 yards. His second, 19 prior minutes the end, was by and large more dubious.

Dejan Lovren was declared to have fouled Fred in the container and Japanese official Yuichi Nishimura indicated the spot, notwithstanding replays indicating little contact had been made. Neymar changed over to start scenes of festival.

It guaranteed a tenth sequential win for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side however Brazil did not play with the familiarity or flashiness that saw them swat aside Spain to win the Confederations Cup so decidedly a year ago.

Their execution showed blemishes and fragilities yet they will get to be increasingly hard to beat.

The prior minutes commencement had been normally awakening. An enthusiastic Brazilian swarm conveyed an alternate intense interpretation of the national song of praise. Croatia were close to an idea in retrospect to most outside the thousand voyaging fans.

That soon changed. From the off, Ivica Olic worked indefatigably, pursuing acts of futility, submitting Brazilian guards. He may have scored following seven minutes just to head Ivan Perisic's conservative cross barely wide at the back post.

Four minutes after the fact he was at the heart of the move that staggered Arena de Sao Paulo into hush.

With Dani Alves conferred upfield, Olic discovered space wide on the left. His low, teasing cross discovered Nikica Jelavic who reached, however it was sufficient to get Marcelo reeling and the Real Madrid protector viewed on repulsiveness as the ball avoided off his lower leg and moved into the net past goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Brazil were battling for mood; characterless not creative. They required a minute of enchantment, a sparkle. It would originate from a recognizable wellspring of motivation.

Everyone's eyes had been on Neymar da Silva Santos Junior before commencement. The crisp confronted kid with the weight of a country on his back had been sprinkled over every daily paper in Brazil, offered on every TV station and his name had been expressed by every fan.

At the point when his fellow team members required him most he didn't baffle. He was, however, lucky to escape a terrible first-half episode - when he got Luka Modric in the face with a swinging lower arm - with just a booking.

The episode helped Brazil discover a sparkle. Oscar tried Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa with a shot that bubbled and twisted furiously. Two minutes after the fact, the Chelsea midfielder was in a precarious situation at the end of the day, battling through two difficulties and discovering Neymar.

At the point when the Brazil No 10 turned for objective, moving the ball on to his left foot, he had one thing as a main priority. The contact was not immaculate however the shot was unerringly faultless, inching in from 25 yards, looking the right post on its direction.

The festivals on the touchline recounted a story. Scolari was overwhelmed by his players as each of the 23 Brazilian squad parts celebrated in the staggering positive feeling. Firecrackers reverberated in the boulevards around the ground. A weight had been lifted, a dread alleviated.

Croatia, however, were a long way from completed. Dejan Lovren gave strength and quality in barrier; Ivan Rakitic, the flash and substance in midfield.

For long periods, Brazil attempted to discover the speed in their passing, or the vim and life in their development, to evade markers and disassemble Croatia's powerful and composed protective framework.

Dani Alves twisted a dipping free-kick simply over however that was the whole of Brazil's second-half deliberations as the last half hours attempted,. That was go to change.

Oscar broke down the right and crossed for Fred, who went to ground under the test of Lovren. The ref indicated the punishment spot. Neymar terminated in the ensuing spot kick, the ball diverting in off the out-extended arm of Pletikosa.

It was cruel on Croatia, with replays indicating negligible contact. Brazil did not give a second thought.

Oscar put a gleam on the last score with a gigantic late objective that his man-of-the-match execution justified. With Croatia conferred upfield, he blast send and toe-jabbed in from 25 yards, surprising Pletikosa with a wild low drive.

Brazil are off and running. They make take some halting.