Sao Paulo: Brazil are desperate to make a powerful statement of intent in tonight's World Cup opener against Croatia as they seek to relieve the suffocating pressure that has engulfed the team in the build-up to the tournament.


Brazilian players (left to right) Fernandinho, Neymar, Daniel Alves and Henrique vie for the ball during a training session at the squad's Granja Comary training complex in Teresopolis on Tuesday. Pic/AFP 

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the luxury of being able to field the same team that destroyed world champions Spain 3-0 in the final of last year's Confederations Cup, with Barcelona star Neymar the focal point of a powerful and settled line-up.