The 2014 Men’s World Cup began on THU 12 JUN 2014, and a wild match ended with a 3-1 win for Brazil over Croatia.

The Brazilian squad were off to an inauspicious start when MARCELO turned the ball into his own net in the 11th minute. But just before the half hour mark, NEYMAR levelled the scoreline with a scuffed shot that beat Croatian keeper Stipe PLETIKOSA.

Controversy erupted in the 71st minute when referee Yuichi NISHIMURA awarded a penalty to Brazil after the barest of contact by Dejan LOVREN on FRED. Pletikosa guessed correctly on Neymar’s spot kick; even though he got both hands on the shot, however, it still entered the net.

Twelve minutes later, Croatia believed they had an equaliser, but before Ivan PERIŠIĆ’s goal, Ivica OLIĆ was whistled for a foul on home keeper JÚLIO CÉSAR. In stoppage time, OSCAR added a goal on a counterattack.

Brazil now head to Fortaleza to meet Mexico in their next Group A match, whilst Croatia are due to meet Cameroon in Manaus.