Brazil vs Croatia, World Cup results: Neymar’s brace gives Brazil 3-1 win

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil kicked off when the host nation played Croatia on Thursday afternoon. It followed an elaborate but short, lasting under 30 minutes long, opening ceremony. Brazil came in as heavy favorites against a Croatian team that was dealing with injuries.

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After all the ceremonial stuff, which included doves being released, the game and tournament finally got under way. Brazil got an opportunity in the first six minutes off a free kick from near the touch line. The ball was headed around in the box before David Luiz redirected it on goal, but the Croatian keeper was able to collect it without many issues.

A couple of minutes later, Croatia was on the attack and got an even better opportunity than Brazil. Ivica Olic was able to get over Dani Alves for a header in the center of the box, though he missed the goal and it went just wide of the post.

Things got worse for Brazil minutes later when there a low cross into the box in front of the goal. Brazilian defender Marcelo got a foot on it and accidentally redirected it in on goal, giving Croatia the lead on an own goal, Brazil’s first.

The silver lining to the own goal is that it was early enough in the game that Brazil would have plenty of time to recover. They mounted an offensive afterwards getting some more chances, but unable to convert any.

It took Brazil nearly 20 minutes to pull level and it was none other than Barcelona superstar and face of the Brazilian team Neymar to do it.

The shot from Neymar looked like it was a bit of a mistake, almost as if he didn’t get the contact with the shot that he wanted. The ball lacked velocity and dribbled through the defense and past the goal keeper, but he was cheating to the other side which made it hard for him to change direction and get back to the near side post.

Before the goal Neymar got the first yellow card of the game and tournament as well. Brazil created some more opportunities and commanded the possession for the rest of the half creating a few more opportunities along the way, but ultimately Croatia was able to hold on to the draw going into the break.

In the 61st minute Croatia made a tactical change in a move to try and cling onto the draw, which would be a pretty remarkable and unexpected result. Marcelo Brozovic came on and replaced Mateo Kovacic.

Brazil, which seemed to be more focused about offense than defense, made a tactical move just a few moments later as well bringing on Hernanes for Paulinho.

In the 65th minute, Vedran Corluka’s hard foul on Neymar gave Brazil a free kick in a great spot. They failed to convert on the goal scoring opportunity. Moments later Brazil made another tactical substitution bring Bernard on for Hulk.

Thanks to a controversial play in the 69th minute, Brazil was given the opportunity to take their first lead. Brazilian forward Fred was in the box with his back to a defender and trying to control a ball. He fell backwards in front of the Croatian defender, Dejan Lovren, in what looked like a flop. You watch the play and let us know in the GIFs whether it was a flop or not.

Neymar stepped up to take the penalty kick and was able to squeak another one past Stipe Pletikosa. The keeper gets his hands on the ball but Neymar’s power is just too much and the ball goes in giving Brazil the lead.

Ramires replaced Neymar in the 88th minute with the win seemingly locked up. In the 91st minute, Oscar gave Brazil an insurance goal incase Croatia was thinking about some last minute heroics.

Brazil held on to win and collect three points. It was Brazil’s 58th win on home soil.

Mexico and Cameroon play on Friday to round out Group A’s first round of games. Brazil’s next game is Tuesday June 17 against Mexico (2:30 p.m. ET), and Croatia play Cameroon on Wednesday June 18 (5:30 p.m. ET). Both of those games will be aired on ESPN.

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