FIFA World Cup: Neymar fires Brazil to a controversial opening victory

Sao PauloNeymar hit two goals including a bitterly contested penalty to lead Brazil to a 31 victory over Croatia in the opening match of the World Cup on ThursdayBrazils forward Neymar celebrates after scoring a penalty during the Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo during the 2014 FIFA World Cup AFP PHOTOViolent protests in Sao Paulo were quickly pushed to one side as drama switched to the Corinthians Arena packed with 61600 people most expecting an easy Brazil victoryBut Croatia took a shock lead in the Group A game when Marcelo scored an own goal in the 11th minuteCatch all the FIFA World Cup 2014 action hereNeymar pulled Brazil level after 30 minutes and Croatia reacted with fury when Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the penalty spot in the second half after Fred backed into Croatian defender Dejan Lovren and fellCroatian coach Niko Kovac said that Nishimura was out of his depth and called the penalty ridiculousBarcelona golden boy Neymar who was also booked and lucky not to be sent off converted the penalty to put Brazil ahead Chelsea midfielder Oscar scored a brilliant individual goal to seal the crucial victoryThe fivetime winners start the tournament as overwhelming favourites seeking to heal decades of hurt after the humiliation of losing the final to Uruguay on home soil in 1950 But they made a nervous start in the Corinthians ArenaThe European side who narrowly lost to the feted Selecao in the opening stages of the 2006 World Cup but were missing suspended star striker Mario Mandzukic almost tore up the scriptThe Brazilians who had won their previous nine matches struggled to find their rhythm after a rousing crowd rendition of the national anthem in the new stadiumMateo Kovacic went close for Croatia with a rightfooted strike and Ivica Olic headed just wide of Julio Cesars right postThe 18thranked side took the lead when Olic enjoying the space on the left hit an inviting cross into the boxNikica Jelavic made contact and Brazilian defender Marcelo could not adjust his feet in time watching in agony as the ball rolled into the netMarcelo was almost in tears But the crowd urged the home side on and Oscar Brazils most dangerous player went close with a leftfooted strike from outside the boxNeymar tipped by many to cement his place as one of the games global superstars pulled his side level with a strike from outside the area just before the halfhour sending the crowd into rapturesThe No 10 ran ran onto a ball from Oscar before driving forward and shooting across Stipe Pletikosa with his left foot the ball creeping just inside the postHarsh punishmentBrazil dominated possession for the remainder of the half but failed to create many clearcut openingsBoth sides struggled to establish control in the second half and Kovac ordered on midfielder Marcelo Brozovic for KovacicBrazils coach Luiz Felipe Scolari pulled off Paulinho to make way for Hernanes He also brought on Bernard for Hulk and seconds later Fred won the penalty that devastated CroatiaLovren who has demanded a transfer from English side Southampton as he draws interest furiously pleaded his innocenceIt was a harsh punishment for Lovren who seemed to barely touch the Brazilian centre forwardIf anybody saw that was a penalty let them raise their hand I cannot raise my hand I didnt see it said KovacIf you continue in this vein then there will be 100 penalties during this World CupHe added I cannot blame Fred because everybody tries to do that This is part of the sport whether you like it or not This is part and parcel of footballWhat I want is for the referees to stick to the laws of the game applying them equally to both teamsPletikosa got two hands to Neymars penalty shot but could not keep it out as watching President Dilma Rousseff cheered from the standsThe crowd then vented its anger against the leader battling to reverse widespread discontent over Brazils faltering economy and the record 11 billion it spent on the World CupWith time running out Brazil had to survive a few nervous moments and Cesar pulled off a save seconds before Oscar put the icing on the cake to send the crowd home happyThe other Group A teams Mexico and Cameroon play on Friday Brazils next game is against Mexico on Tuesday Croatia play Cameroon the following day