2014 FIFA WORLD CUP : Neymar grand show gave Brazil victory over Croatia

13062014

Host Brazil finished the open the World Cup with a victory over Croatia in Sao Paulo,  Earlier Marcelo had scored  one goal .Neymar converted into at parity, came  later with penalty.shoot  which turn out to be controversial one awarded to host nation converted into goal tilted game in favor of Brazil

 Marcelo had scored an early one goal and Oscar Brazil third goal bettered result with a wonderful individual goal thuus striked lead 3:1  in favour of host nation with glorious match. Neymer  first goal goes low, a calculus sweep dashed into the net from 25 yards. His second, 19 minutes before the end, was altogether more controversial.controversial. Neymar’s long-range equalizer for Brazil against Croatia Dejan Lovren was judged to have fouled Fred in the box. Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the spot, despite replays showing little contact had been made. Neymar converted, the ball deflecting in off the out-stretched arm of goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, to spark scenes of celebration. Brazil demonstrated various flaws and fragilities lacked swiftness, agility,skipping needed to remain on top slot..

Violent protests in Sao Paulo were quickly pushed to one side as drama switched to the football pitch.Croatia took a shock lead when Marcelo scored an own goal in the 11th minute.

Neymar pulled Brazil level after 30 minutes, but Croatia were left in fury when Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the spot in the second half after Fred backed into Croatian defender Dejean Lovren and fell.

Barcelona golden boy Neymar, who was also booked, converted the penalty to put Brazil ahead and Chelsea midfielder Oscar scored a brilliant individual goal to seal the crucial victory in Group A.

The five-time 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 Arena.

The European side, who narrowly lost to the feted Selecao in the opening stages of the 2006 World, threatened to tear up the script.

The edgy home side, who had won their previous nine matches, struggled to find their rhythm after a rousing crowd rendition of the national anthem in the new stadium.

Neymar, tipped by many to cement his place as one of the game’s global superstars on home soil, pulled his side level with a strike from outside the area just before the half-hour, sending the crowd into raptures.

The No. 10 ran received the ball from Oscar before driving forward and shooting across Stipe Pletikosa with his left foot, the ball nestling just inside the post.

Brazil dominated possession for the remainder of the half but failed to create many clear-cut openings to add to their lead.

The second half began in scrappy fashion, with both sides struggling to establish a rhythm.

On the hour mark Croatian coach Niko Kovac brought on midfielder Marcelo Brozovic for Kovacic as they continued to frustrate their illustrious opponents, drawing whistles from the impatient crowd.

Minutes later coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, pulled off Paulinho to make way for Hernanes.

Scolari, who cranked up the pressure by declaring on the eve of the tournament “This is our World Cup”, then brought on Bernard to replace Hulk and seconds later Fred won the penalty that devastated Croatia. It was a harsh punishment for Lovren.