Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Sao Paulo: An historic own-goal, a contentious penalty and a two-goal haul from Barcelona superstar Neymar were the highlights of an entertaining opener to the 2014 FIFA World Cup as Brazil came from behind to defeat an industrious Croatia 3-1 in Thursday's tournament curtain-raiser.
The host nation were the first team to put the ball in the net at the 2014 FIFA World Cup but unfortunately it was their own when, with 11 minutes of an entertaining first-half played, Marcello.
A teasing ball was whipped into the Brazilian penalty box by Croatia skipper Ivica Olic and after the faintest of touches from team-mate Nikica Jelavic the Real Madrid defender side-footed past Julio Cesar to become the first ever Brazilian to score an own goal in the Selecao's World Cup history.
Neyamar ensured the World Cup hosts went into the break on level terms when he equalised for the home side in the 29th minute, just 60 seconds after being the first player of the tournament to be booked following his elbow on Luka Modric.
The superb Oscar reclaimed possession and fed the ball to Neymar, who low, left shot beat the lethargic Stipe Pletikosa at his left-hand post.
Brazil doubled their lead in the 70th minute in contentious circumstances when referee Yuichi Nishimura awarded the home side a penalty when Fred appeared to be brought down in the box by Dejan Lovren.
TV replays showed that the Fluminese striker went down theatrically under very little pressure from Croatia defender but the penalty was given and Neymar converted from the spot despite Pletikosa getting his hands to the ball.
Croatia battled hard for the equaliser and had the ball in the back of the net in the 82nd minute only to have the goal disallowed after Olic was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Julio Cesar before Oscar sealed the 3-1 win with a sublime finish a minute into stoppage-time.
Photo: AFP