By Anna Italia
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Italian Soccer Serie A

58% Ball Possession BRAZIL and 42% Ball Possession CROATIA

   Brazil 3 – 1 Croatia 
29′ Neymar                          11′ Marcelo (own goal)
71′ Neymar
90′ Oscar

Brazil making their debut in the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a victory. Brazil unbeaten in the previous two games against Croatia. In the 2006 World Cup was Brazil 1 – 0 Croatia with the goal by Kaka and in 2005 the Croatia 0 – 0 Brazil in the friendly game in Spalato.  Today, the hero is forward Neymar being the leading force to overturn the result.  Brazil are in Group A along Mexico, Cameroon, and Croatia.

A surprise at the Arena de San Paulo!  In the 11th minute there is the own goal by Brazil defender Marcelo giving the lead to Croatia.  Total silence in the stadium while closeup showing the celebration by Croatia players.  It’s just an unpleasant record for Brazil because it is the first own goal scored by a Brazilian player in the World Cup.

First yellow card of the match in the 27th minute to Brazil forward Neymar after a foul on Croatia midfielder Luca Modric.

The avenging moment for Brazil in the 29th minute.  It seems Neymar reacted after that yellow card and inspired smacks a left footed shot defeating Croatia goalkeeper  Stipe Pletikosa in the bottom right corner.  Immediate celebration by Coach Luis Felipe Scolari.   Fans raising their  support for Brazil.

First half ending 70% ball possession Brazil and 30% ball possession Croatia.

In the 61st minute,  Croatia making a substitution with  Marcelo Brozovic replacing Mateo Kovacic.

In the 63rd minute Brazil making a substitution with Inter midfielder Hernanes replacing Paulinho

Wow, now, problems for Croatia.  In the 69th minute, Referee giving a penalty to Brazil conceded by Croatia defender Dejan Lovren after a foul on Brazil forward Fred.  Taking the penalty spot is Neymar… he takes a long pause while the fans outpouring their support…..  Neymar gets set….. he runs… and there you go GOAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL  Neymar converting with a right footed shot defeating Croatia goalkeeperPletikosa  in the top left corner.  Initially, Pletikosa attempted to save with both hands, but the goal in any way just went inside the net!

In the 78th minute Croatia making a substitution. We see Fiorentina forward Ante Rebic replacing forward Nikica Jelavic.

Brazil replacing Neymar in the 88th minute with Ramires.  Neymar leaving the pitch among the ovation by the fans.

Brazil scoring the third goal of the match in the 90th minute.  The action starting by Ramires giving the assist to Oscar who delivers a right footed shot just like a bowling action to defeat Croatia goalkeeper in the bottom left corner!

Here is BRAZIL official starting lineup by coach Luis Felipe Scolari:

Brazil (4-2-3-1): Júlio César; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred.

Here is CROATIA official starting lineup by coach Niko Kovac:

Croatia (4-2-3-1): Pletikosa; Srna, Ćorluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko; Modrić, Rakitić; Perišić, Kovačić, Olić; Jelavić.

Serie A Players called up in FIFA World Cup Group A game Brazil – Croatia:

Croatia: 3 Serie A Players: Genoa defender Sime Vraljko, Inter Milan midfielder Mateo Kovacic playing 61st minute, and Fiorentina forward Ante Rebic

Brazil: 3 Italian Serie A Players with Brazil National Football Team: AS Roma Defender Maicon, Napoli defender Henrique, and Inter Milan midfielder Hernanes

Video, watch the own goal by Brazil defender Marcelo….

Video, Neymar goals against Croatia in the World Cup highlights, Thursday 12 June 2014

Photo fifa.com / Getty Images

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP
Group A

Brazil 3 – 1 Croatia
Arena de São Paulo
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Thursday 12 June 2014

Referee: Yuichi Nishimura

Goals: 11′ Marcelo (0wn goal), 29′ Neymar Jr. (B.), 72′ Neymar Jr (B.), 90′ Oscar (B.)

Official formations – Lineups:

Brazil  (4-2-3-1): Júlio César; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred.

Subs.: Jefferson, Victor, Maicon, Dante, Henrique, Maxwell, Fernandinho, Ramires, Hernanes, Willian, Jô, Bernard.

Coach.: Felipe Scolari

Croatia (4-2-3-1): Pletikosa; Srna, Ćorluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko; Modrić, Rakitić; Perišić, Kovačić, Olić; Jelavić.

Subs.: Zelenika, Subašić, Schildenfeld, Vida, Brozović, Vukojević, Sammir, Rebić, Eduardo, Badelj.

Coach.: Niko Kovač

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP Group ABrazil 3 – 1 Croatia Arena de São Paulo Sao Paulo, Brazil Thursday 12 June 2014Referee: Yuichi Nishimura
Brazil	Match Stats	Croatia
3	Goals	1
14(9)	Shots (on goal)	10(4)
5	Fouls	21
7	Corner kicks	3
1	Offsides	0
58%	Ball Possession	42%
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
3	Saves	3

What do you think of the results? Which players surprised you or disappointed you and why?