Highlights: Brazil 3-1 Croatia Story of the match: Neymar scores twice for hosts Croatia angry at penalty decision Oscar also on target for Brazil Vanishing spray used for first time Neymar stole the show as Brazil came from behind to open the World Cup with a victory over Croatia in Sao Paulo, but the match turned on a controversial penalty. The striker responded to the responsibility of being his country's poster boy by finding the net either side of half-time after Marcelo had scored an early own goal. Oscar cemented the result with a wonderful individual goal late on but the adulation at the Arena de Sao Paulo went to Barcelona's Neymar. His first goal was a low, sweeping effort that crept into the net from 25 yards. His second, 19 minutes before the end, was altogether more controversial. Archive: Neymar strike sparks Brazil at World Cup 2014 Dejan Lovren was judged to have fouled Fred in the box. Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the spot, despite replays showing little contact had been made.
Fireworks echoed in the streets around the ground. Croatia, though, were far from finished. Dejan Lovren provided solidity and strength in defence; Ivan Rakitic, the spark and substance in midfield. For long periods, Brazil struggled to find the zip in their passing, or the vim and vigour in their movement, to elude markers and dismantle Croatia's effective and organised defensive system. Dani Alves curled a dipping free-kick just over but that was the sum of Brazil's second-half efforts as the final 30 minutes approached. That was to change. Oscar put a gloss on the final score with a tremendous late goal that his man-of-the-match performance warranted. With Croatia committed upfield, he burst forward and toe-poked in from 25 yards, taking Pletikosa by surprise with a low drive. Brazil are off and running. Croatia take a surprise lead as Marcelo scores past his own goalkeeper. Neymar is shown the yellow card after catching Luka Modric with a swinging forearm before scoring moments afterwards.
Assisted by Marcelo Brozovic. Hernanes (Brazil) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Dejan Lovren (Croatia). Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Dani Alves. Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Darijo Srna. Substitution, Croatia. Ante Rebic replaces Nikica Jelavic. David Luiz (Brazil) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Oscar with a cross.
In reality this happens in almost 99% of corners, why this kind of play isn't called up more often than not is for a few simple reasons. The ref and assistants don't always see whats happening in the tangle and mess that a corner can be and is not called on. The ref ignores it. Now this is something i don't think is right and any ref who does should be pulled on it if they ever admitted to it. If a ref did call it at every corner it occurred at it would most likely result in 20 penalty's a game. Its not taught well enough to refs that the same contact at a corner should be a foul as it it would be in free play. Having ref'd at Sunday and amateur match's i can say that the visibility a ref has of corners is never great no matter what position they take up, there is always something that will be missed unlike in open play where the players are more spread and the ref and assistants have better views. Now some might say well why doesn't the ref move to get a better position but i can say they really shouldn't move from where they are taught to stand which is a few meters of the corner of the 18 yard box with the assistant taking up the other side of the area to see.
Neymar celebrates scoring against Croatia, his two goals taking his tally for his country to 33 in 50 appearances. Croatia players react with fury after referee Yuichi Nishimura awards Brazil a controversial penalty with the game 1-1.