BRAZIL 3-1 CROATIA
A questionable decision from referee Yuichi Nishimura and some brilliant individual performances from Oscar and Neymar kicked off the World Cup finals with a bang.
As expected, Brazil dominated possession throughout the game but kept Croatia in the game with some sloppy play in the defensive end of the pitch.
Pushing very high up the field throughout, Brazil looked to press the issue against a tentative Croatian side but found themselves regretting that decision early. Not for the first time, surprise starter Ivica Olic found himselves open on the left side past Dani Alves and drove a cross in to the centre of area. Escaping both Nikica Jelavic and David Luiz, the ball ended up on the feet of Marcelo who banged it in to his own net before he appeared to even know the ball was on his feet.
Despite the early tally, this always appeared to be Brazil's game to lose. Time and time again, Brazil found ways through the Croatian back line to get chances on Stipe Pletikosa's goal. Brazil looked to have the equalizer in the 22nd minute after Neymar slipped through the defence and crossed the ball to the 6 yard box. Croatia cleared temporarily but the rebound fell to Oscar whose curling strike was barely parried away by a diving Pletikosa.
Brazil found a deserved tying goal minutes later after Oscar fought off 3 Croatian defenders in the centre of the field and dished the ball to Neymar. Neymar's strike from 25 yards didn't have a ton of power but was perfectly placed and went in off the post just past the diving Pletikosa.
1-1 at the half, Brazilian dominance on the ball continued to be the story in the second half. A slower pace compared to the first half, Croatia appeared happy to slow the game down and play defensive soccer while looking for counter-attacking opportunities.
The 70th minute brought the most drama of the match after yet another Oscar cross from the wing sent the ball towards Fred in the box. A questionable foul (or a dive, let's be honest) by Dejan Lovren on Fred led to a controversial penalty kick for Brazil. Neymar's penalty wasn't his best effort but Pletikosa could not get enough on it to parry the ball wide of goal giving Brazil the lead.
Croatia paid the price for pushing up in push of a late equalizer as Brazil turned a Julio Cesar save upfield quickly in injury time leading to a pinpoint Oscar shot from outside the area to bury the game.
Goals
Brazil: Neymar (29', 71'), Oscar (90+1')
Croatia: Marcelo OG (11')
Discipline
Brazil: Neymar (Yellow 27'), Luiz Gustavo (87')
Croatia: Corluka (65'), Lovren (69')
Man of the Match
Neymar was named Man of the Match and while he put in 2 goals, Oscar was the star in this one. There were questions about whether or not he should start after some poor play in pre-tournament action. Oscar shut those critics up quickly. Absolutely unstoppable on the ball, Oscar played in all 3 attacking midfield spots and was dominant everywhere. Time and again, Oscar was able to create opportunities for his teammates in the midfield. He assisted the first goal, led to the second and scored his own on the 3rd. Phenomenal performance from the 22 year old.
Key Moment
Fred went down in the Croatia penalty area after minimal contact from Dejan Lovren. The subsequent penalty kick gave Brazil the lead they would never relinquish. Brazil looked to be on the verge of a go-ahead goal regardless but the poor call appeared to deflate them and completely took them out of what was otherwise a close game.
What We Learned from Brazil
Not much to be honest. There offensive size and power wore down Croatia as the game went on and they still looked fresh at the end of the game. Also some serious questions on the back end. Too often Luiz Gustavo was the last man back, the wing backs were slow getting back in defensive support and there was no organization in their own penalty area. Brazil survived it with their offensive prowess but there was plenty to clean up on the back end.
What We Learned from Croatia
They were rightly furious about the penalty call and had several other decisions go against them. Had a shot in this game for at least a draw but I still think they can take promise from their performance in this one. Olic played surprisingly well in place of Mandzukic and they dealt with the Brazilian attack as well as could be expected. Pletikosa in goal may be a question mark going forward. Nothing to do about the penalty but both the 1st and 3rd goal were save chances that escaped in to the bottom corners.
Going Forward
More exciting then expected but group looks about as expected. Brazil well on their way to a group win. Croatia would have liked a least a point and will feel cheated but they always needed to beat Mexico and Cameroon to catch second. That still hasn't changed and they'll have Mandzukic back going forward.
As expected, Brazil dominated possession throughout the game but kept Croatia in the game with some sloppy play in the defensive end of the pitch.
Pushing very high up the field throughout, Brazil looked to press the issue against a tentative Croatian side but found themselves regretting that decision early. Not for the first time, surprise starter Ivica Olic found himselves open on the left side past Dani Alves and drove a cross in to the centre of area. Escaping both Nikica Jelavic and David Luiz, the ball ended up on the feet of Marcelo who banged it in to his own net before he appeared to even know the ball was on his feet.
Despite the early tally, this always appeared to be Brazil's game to lose. Time and time again, Brazil found ways through the Croatian back line to get chances on Stipe Pletikosa's goal. Brazil looked to have the equalizer in the 22nd minute after Neymar slipped through the defence and crossed the ball to the 6 yard box. Croatia cleared temporarily but the rebound fell to Oscar whose curling strike was barely parried away by a diving Pletikosa.
Brazil found a deserved tying goal minutes later after Oscar fought off 3 Croatian defenders in the centre of the field and dished the ball to Neymar. Neymar's strike from 25 yards didn't have a ton of power but was perfectly placed and went in off the post just past the diving Pletikosa.
1-1 at the half, Brazilian dominance on the ball continued to be the story in the second half. A slower pace compared to the first half, Croatia appeared happy to slow the game down and play defensive soccer while looking for counter-attacking opportunities.
The 70th minute brought the most drama of the match after yet another Oscar cross from the wing sent the ball towards Fred in the box. A questionable foul (or a dive, let's be honest) by Dejan Lovren on Fred led to a controversial penalty kick for Brazil. Neymar's penalty wasn't his best effort but Pletikosa could not get enough on it to parry the ball wide of goal giving Brazil the lead.
Croatia paid the price for pushing up in push of a late equalizer as Brazil turned a Julio Cesar save upfield quickly in injury time leading to a pinpoint Oscar shot from outside the area to bury the game.
Goals
Brazil: Neymar (29', 71'), Oscar (90+1')
Croatia: Marcelo OG (11')
Discipline
Brazil: Neymar (Yellow 27'), Luiz Gustavo (87')
Croatia: Corluka (65'), Lovren (69')
Man of the Match
Neymar was named Man of the Match and while he put in 2 goals, Oscar was the star in this one. There were questions about whether or not he should start after some poor play in pre-tournament action. Oscar shut those critics up quickly. Absolutely unstoppable on the ball, Oscar played in all 3 attacking midfield spots and was dominant everywhere. Time and again, Oscar was able to create opportunities for his teammates in the midfield. He assisted the first goal, led to the second and scored his own on the 3rd. Phenomenal performance from the 22 year old.
Key Moment
Fred went down in the Croatia penalty area after minimal contact from Dejan Lovren. The subsequent penalty kick gave Brazil the lead they would never relinquish. Brazil looked to be on the verge of a go-ahead goal regardless but the poor call appeared to deflate them and completely took them out of what was otherwise a close game.
What We Learned from Brazil
Not much to be honest. There offensive size and power wore down Croatia as the game went on and they still looked fresh at the end of the game. Also some serious questions on the back end. Too often Luiz Gustavo was the last man back, the wing backs were slow getting back in defensive support and there was no organization in their own penalty area. Brazil survived it with their offensive prowess but there was plenty to clean up on the back end.
What We Learned from Croatia
They were rightly furious about the penalty call and had several other decisions go against them. Had a shot in this game for at least a draw but I still think they can take promise from their performance in this one. Olic played surprisingly well in place of Mandzukic and they dealt with the Brazilian attack as well as could be expected. Pletikosa in goal may be a question mark going forward. Nothing to do about the penalty but both the 1st and 3rd goal were save chances that escaped in to the bottom corners.
Going Forward
More exciting then expected but group looks about as expected. Brazil well on their way to a group win. Croatia would have liked a least a point and will feel cheated but they always needed to beat Mexico and Cameroon to catch second. That still hasn't changed and they'll have Mandzukic back going forward.
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