FIFA World Cup Highlights: Neymar's Brace Gives Brazil 3-1 Win vs Croatia

Brazil make a powerful statement of intent in Thursday's World Cup opener against Croatia. Catch all the highlights here (Matchcentre):

03:26 (IST): The referee blows the final whistle! It's all over for Croatia as Brazil win 3-1. Neymar is the hero with 2 goals. (Reactions after the match: Croatian coach accuses referees of partiality)

03:22 (IST): GOAL! Oscar finds space and sends the ball past the keeper. Brazil lead 3-1 in the first minute of stoppage time.

03:18 (IST): The men in red and white are coming on really strong as we enter the last five minutes in Sao Paolo. Luka Modric releases a fierce shot that is beaten away at his near post by Julio Cesar, and the home crowd are starting to get a little anxious. Can Croatia take advantage of the nerves that are hindering their opponents as the finishing line approaches?

03:15 (IST): There are ten minutes plus stoppage time left in Sao Paolo, where Brazil are looking to add to their lead and make the points safe. Croatia have been undone by a Neymar brace. Two goals in the first game - will he end up being the tournament's star player?

03:08 (IST): Luiz Felipe Scolari's men were definitely the better team in the first 45 minutes, but it has been a more even contest in this half. Croatia have imposed themselves well since the restart, especially given the soft nature of the penalty. Time seemed to stand still as Neymar's spot kick was parried by Pletikosa, but there was jubilation in Sao Paolo as it nestled in the corner.

03:03 (IST): Croatia will feel very aggrieved at that, but the home fans don't seem to care one little bit.

02:59 (IST):  GOAL! Neymar steps up for the spot kick and gets past the keeper. Brazil have a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute.

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02:56 (IST): Niko Kovac decides to shuffle his pack with just under half an hour left on the clock in Sao Paolo. Mateo Kovacic is the man to be withdrawn, with Marcelo Brozovic coming on in his place. Luiz Felipe Scolari responds to that Croatia substitution by making a change of his own - Paulinho is taken off, with Hernanes coming on for Brazil.

02:52 (IST): Croatia are closing Brazil down well, but Oscar breaks beyond the lines with a combination of skill and strength. The ball then falls for Neymar in the 58th minute, who has Paulinho in all sorts of room on the right. The pass is overhit, and the ball goes out for a throw-in.

02:48 (IST): In case anyone is wondering who that clean shaven, tidy looking number ten is in the middle of the pitch for Croatia, it is Luka Modric. The Madrid midfielder, who previously looked as though going to have a haircut gave him an allergic reaction, has cut off his locks.

02:46 (IST): It is a poor delivery and Croatia can clear their lines. If the first seven minutes of this half are anything to go by, Niko Kovac's men will be having to do a lot of that in the next 40 minutes or so.

02:39 (IST): Both teams looking to take an early lead as Brazil try to get in a cross into the Croatian box.

02:33 (IST): Time for the second half as the players come out to the field. No substitutions in either side as yet.

02:19 (IST): So that's the end of the first half. It's 1-1 between Brazil and Croatia as Neymar makes up for Marcelo's own goal. All set for an interesting second half.

02:13 (IST):  Neymar's freekick is deflected away and the corner fails to produce any result for Brazil.

02:06 (IST): The game is certainly increasing in pace as both teams look to take the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

02:02 (IST): GOAL! Neymar makes it 1-1 for Brazil. Just minutes after being booked he finds the back of the net to make it 1-1 in the 29th minute.

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01:59 (IST): Neymar has the dubious distinction of getting the first yellow card of the FIFA World Cup 2014.

01:53 (IST): Pletikosa pulls off a great save to deny Paulinho who shoots hard towards the middle of the goal.

01:45 (IST): GOAL! Marcelo creates history by becoming the first Brazilian to score an own goal in the World Cup finals. Croatia lead 1-0 in the 11th minute.

01:39 (IST): Olic fires in a header but it is not enough and misses the post by a whisker. Brazilian fans certainly had their hearts in their mouths.

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01:37 (IST): Brazil have an early freekick but Neymar's shot is wasted as David Luiz's header is well handled by Croatian keeper Stipe Pletikosa.

01:31 (IST): The doves are released and the World Cup is officially on.

01:28 (IST): The anthems are over and done with, no it is time for the World Cup to start.

01:23 (IST): The players are ready to come out with just over five minutes remaining.

01:18 (IST): Kaka may not be in the squad but that has not stopped him from coming out to cheer his mates from the stands. With him is his young son.

01:15 (IST): Brazil are the favourites for this game but one cannot dismiss the fact that Croatia may spring up a surprise.

01:02 (IST): The players have arrived at the stadium and are seen warming up on the field.

00:52 (IST): Brazil have lost in the quarterfinals in the last two editions. France beat them 1-0 in 2006 and Netherlands defeated them 2-1 in 2010.

00:32 (IST): Less than an hour to go before FIFA World Cup 2014 kicks off in Sao Paulo.

00:10 (IST): So that's the end of the opening ceremony with awesome performances by Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull. So now we are 80 minutes away from the start of Brazil vs Croatia.

23:56 (IST): The opening ceremony is underway and it is a nice blend of song and dance for the spectators to enjoy., Catch all the updates here.

23:40 (IST): Security is on high alert as choppers circle around the stadium and keep an eye on things.

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23:36 (IST): Brazil last won the tournament in 2002, when they beat Germany 2-0 in Yokohama.

23:31 (IST): One important addition to this edition of the FIFA World Cup will be the use of the goal line technology. This could see less controversy for marginal decisions. (Read here)

23:28 (IST): Sao Paulo is one of the twelve stadiums that will host six matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The crowd is increasing in number slowly to witness this first game between Brazil and Croatia.

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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.

The five-time champions are expected to qualify from their group without too much trouble but Barcelona defender Dani Alves admitted there was anxiety ahead of the Sao Paulo opener, as they seek to ease the jitters.

"I have always said that if you don't feel anxiety it is not worth being a professional athlete. The opening game is difficult, important," said Alves. "The three points count but so does the idea of sending out a message to our rivals. The most important game at the World Cup, for everyone, is the opening game." (Read more)

Croatia Vow to Spoil Brazil's Party!

Croatia vowed on Wednesday to try to create a "miracle" when they take on mighty Brazil in the FIFA World Cup opener, refusing to adopt a negative approach against the star-studded home side. (Brazil Races Towards Kick-Off)

The Croatian football team during a training session ahead of their opening match against hosts Brazil.

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The Croatian football team during a training session ahead of their opening match against hosts Brazil.

 

"I can't promise to win the World Cup or to progress out of the group. I can't promise to beat Brazil but it is a promise that we will give our all, the last atom of strength," he said.

The side, ranked 18th in the world, are led by experienced stars such as Real Madrid midfield star Luka Modric and Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, who misses the opening match though suspension. (Read more)

Brazil Races Towards Kick-Off

Brazil was racing to be ready for the opening of the FIFA World Cup here on Wednesday, scrambling to apply the finishing touches to a troubled build-up dogged by delays and violent street protests. (Time for 'idol worship' in Kolkata)

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The hosts launch the four-week football carnival when they play Croatia in Sao Paulo's 61,600-capacity Corinthians Arena at 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Thursday. (Seen the new Google Doodle?)

Jerome Valcke, general secretary of football's governing body FIFA, acknowledged to reporters preparations had gone down to the wire. (Read more)