Brazil 3-1 Croatia
Marcelo og [11], Neymar [29], [71], Oscar [91].
FULL TIME – Brazil 3-1 Croatia – Neymar scores twice before Oscar seals the hosts win despite them initially finding themselves behind. Brazil enjoyed huge slices of luck on certain occasions but they have started how they had to, with a win. And even though Neymar scored twice, Oscar’s performance will delight Luiz Felipe Scolari – the Chelsea ace was superb throughout.
92’ – BRA – BRAZIL GOAL – Oscar toe pokes into the bottom corner to ensure the hosts start with a win. Poor goalkeeping from Stipe Pletikosa but the Chelsea ace won’t complain.
91’ – CRO – Júlio César saves well before David Luiz blocks a goalbound effort as Brazil live dangerously.
88’ – BRA – Brazil sub – Neymar leaves Arena Corinthians to a standing ovation after two crucial goals. Ramires comes on to replace him.
87’ – CRO – Luka Modrić fires low and hard but Júlio César gets down well to save and push away from goal.
86’ – CRO – Brilliant work by David Luiz, with Ante Rebić close to getting in he comes across to clear.
83’ – CRO – Croatia have the ball in the net but the referee had already blown his whistle to award Brazil a free kick. That decision will cause controversy.
80’ – BRA – Neymar whips in a corner kick and Fred flicks on at the front post but nobody gambles at the far post.
78’ – CRO – Croatia sub – Nikica Jelavić is replaced by Ante Rebic.
77’ – BRA – Sensational cross from Oscar but David Luiz, stretching, can only head over the bar. Neymar was just behind waiting to pounce.
71’ – BRA – BRAZIL GOAL – Neymar scores but only just, Stipe Pletikosa gets a hand to it but can’t keep his penalty out and the hosts finally lead.
69’ – BRA – Brazil penalty – Fred is pulled down by Dejan Lovren and the referee awards the hosts a spot kick. Can Neymar score?
68’ – BRA – Brazil sub – Hulk is replaced by Bernard, the young Brazilian has a big opportunity here.
67’ – BRA – Dani Alves whips the free kick over the bar, superb strike but is just lacking the required dip.
65’ – CRO – Vedran Ćorluka booked after taking down Neymar with a cynical challenge. Good chance for Brazil now, he had tried to pass to Fred before suffering a foul.
63’ – BRA – Brazil sub – Hernanes comes on to replace Paulinho who hasn’t been too influential this evening.
61’ – CRO – Croatia sub – Mateo Kovačić is replaced by Marcelo Brozović, before the match there was confusion over who started out of the pair.
57’ – CRO – Ivica Olić appears to be caught, accidently, by Dani Alves after the Barcelona ace doesn’t deal with a long ball. Poor defending from the Brazilian.
55’ – CRO – Ivica Olić crosses in dangerously but Thiago Silva clears before Ivan Perišić fires over from outside the box.
54 – CRO – Good spell of pressure from the Croatians but they lose the ball. The second half has started evenly.
50’ – BRA – Wonderful work by Oscar, he keeps the ball brilliantly and wins a free kick right near the corner flag.
46’ – BRA – Brazil get us underway for the second half, can they go on and get an opening tournament win.
HALF TIME- Brazil 1-1 Croatia – The World Cup has arrived and what a start we have had. The hosts made the worst possible start when Marcelo put through his own net but Neymar has pulled them level and Croatia are now the side looking nervous.
45’ – BRA – Neymar surges forward, the ball drops to Hulk but he curls wide and over the bar.
43’ – BRA – Lovely football from Brazil as Marcelo wins the ball back, combines with Neymar and Oscar. The Chelsea man, though, is offside.
41’ – BRA – Oscar the star of the show so far, though Neymar not far behind, the Chelsea man is everywhere and is doing his upmost to create a second Brazil goal.
29’ – BRA – BRAZIL GOAL – Neymar equalizes for Brazil with a wonderfully taken goal from outside the area. Arena Corinthians erupts and Brazil are back in business.
27’ – BRA – Yellow card Neymar – The Barcelona ace is shown a caution after catching Luka Modrić with a stray arm. It seemed harsh on Neymar, though some Croatia players were calling for more.
22’ – BRA – Wonderful save from Stipe Pletikosa after Neymar had initially got in behind. Hulk later fires wide, the hosts are pushing and look much better now.
21’ – BRA – Better from Paulinho, he collects Oscar’s pass but fires straight at Stipe Pletikosa.
16’ – BRA – Better intent from the hosts, Neymar has an effort deflected wide before the corner is cleared.
11’ – CRO – CROATIA GOAL – Marcelo puts through his own net as the host makes the worst possible start. Great cross by Ivan Rakitić and Nikica Jelavić scuffed effort was enough to put the Brazilian defender off.
9’ – BRA – Paulinho with an effort deflected wide for a corner.
7’ – CRO – Superb cross into the box by Ivan Perišić but Ivica Olić can only head wide, good opportunity for Croatia.
5’ – BRA – Marcelo whips in the free kick and it eventually comes to David Luiz but his header is easily saved.
1’ – CRO – Early effort by Mateo Kovačić goes harmlessly wide.
1’ – CRO – Croatia get proceedings underway at Arena Corinthians, can the hosts start confidently?
Minute by minute
Thiago Silva and the rest of his team roar to the crowd after the national anthem. They are ready and confident, now can they start well.
