Brazil kick-start home World Cup with victory
Baku, June 13 (AZERTAC). To the delight of a nation Brazil got their campaign for a record-extending sixth title off to a winning start when the country’s darling Neymar scored twice to help his side to a 3-1 win over Croatia.
But it wasn’t the best of starts for the host nation when on 11 minutes the Arena de Sao Paulo was silenced when Brazil defender Marcelo scored an own goal.
Nikica Jelavic miskicked an Ivica Olic driving low cross from the left but it ran into the path of a back-tracking Marcelo, who sent it in to the back of his own net.
Just before the half hour mark Neymar leveled matters from long range.
Oscar beat two men in midfield to play the number 10 in space.
Neymar took a couple of strides before unleashing a delightful left-footer that found the base of the post and went in.
He was back on the scoresheet on 71 minutes but in controversial fashion.
Fred threw himself to the floor in the box while backing into Dejan Lovren and earned a dubious penalty from referee Yuichi Nishimura.
Up stepped Neymar and although Croatia keeper Stipe Pletikosa got a firm hand on the ball it went in for the hosts to take the lead.
Oscar made sure of the win in stoppage time to send the home crowd into wild jubilation.
The World Cup continues on Friday as Group A completes its first round of matches with Mexico - Cameroon.
Chile and Australia are also in action but Group B commences with a cracker - a rematch of the 2010 final between Spain and the Netherlands.
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