Obvious Dive Gives Brazil Go-Ahead Goal

 3-1 

Host nation Brazil were featured in the 2014 World Cup kick-off match today against a tenacious Croatian team.  A lot of pressure is on Brazil to perform well, especially following the successful campaign last year in the Confederations Cup.

Despite the overwhelming support for the home team from the sea of yellow in the stands, Brazil fell behind in the opening moments of the match.  Croatian forward Ivica Olić made a long run up the left side and rolled a cross in front of Brazil's goal.  Striker Jelavić could only get a partial touch on the cross, sending the ball into defender Marcelo.  Unfortunately for the rightback the ball deflected off his foot into Brazil's net for an own-goal (11').

Brazil did not panic and as the first-half rolled along they started to test the Croatian keeper.  Stipe Pletikosa blocked the first shots from Paulinho and Oscar, but could not turn away the shot from Neymar.  From outside the box Neymar sent a rather weak shot towards goal that was just out of reach for Pletikosa, leveling the score (29').

The first-half ended without further incident and after the half-time break Croatia came out with a more physical approach.  The change in tactics was effective at slowing down the flow of the Brazilian offense until the referee made a terrible mistake that drastically impacted the match.  Brazilian striker Fred made an obvious dive inside the box, but the referee bought it.

Instead of a yellow card to Fred for simulation, defender Lovren was shown a card and Brazil were awarded a penalty.  Neymar took the shot from the spot and scored the go-ahead goal (71').  Keeper Pletikosa actually got both hands on the shot, but could not keep the ball out of the net.

In the final moments of the match Brazil added an insurance goal when Oscar made a break following a turnover in midfield.  Oscar managed to fire off a shot with a toe-poke to beat the keeper for the last goal of the match (90 +1').  Again Croatian keeper Pletikosa had a chance to make the stop on the play, only to come up empty due to slow reactions.

Brazil escape their first round match with an unconvincing win.  Forwards Fred and Hulk were both rather subdued throughout the match and keeper Julio César did not look very confident in front of goal.  Croatia on the other hand were quite fluid through the midfield and will have Mario Mandzukić back for the next match.  Their biggest concern right now will be whether or not to make a change at keeper going forward.