Brazil 3-1 Croatia

The passion of a nation and its love of football was finally unleashed last night as Brazil kicked off the 20th World Cup with victory over Croatia, writes Oliver Holt in Sao Paulo.
After a build-up marred by social unrest and demonstrations, fireworks lit up the night sky over this sprawling city to celebrate both goals in the 3-1 win.
But this was not a comfortable night for the hosts of whom so much is expected.
They fell behind early in the match and, after they had equalised through the mesmerising Neymar, they needed a soft penalty awarded by referee Yuichi Nishimura and converted by Neymar to give them victory.
It was a nervous, tense night for coach Luis Felipe Scolari and his team. The game was short on the beautiful but the result was everything.
Few will remember a turgid Opening Ceremony but no one who was here will forget the pre-match rendition of the Brazilian national anthem.
David Luiz shouted it out, eyes bulging, body shaking. Neymar's lip quivered. Others closed their eyes as if in prayer.
Those were spine-tingling moments when a nation seemed to be speaking, pleading for glory.
But Croatia are Brazil's strongest opponents in Group A and they soon set about proving it.
They gave Brazil a warning when Ivica Olic rose highest to meet a cross at the back post and headed wide when he ought to have scored.
Then, after 11 minutes, the unthinkable happened and Croatia took the lead.
Olic, who had a superb half, worked himself free on the left and crossed to Jelavic at the near post.

 

 

 

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