Brazil have beaten Croatia 3-1 in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup at Sao Paulo, but the scoreline doesn’t tell the initial story of the match where Brazil went behind early in an unexpected fashion.
Brazil conceded an own goal after Marcelo gifted Croatia to open the scoring for the 2014 World Cup. From then on it was a rescue mission.
Brazilian star Neymar got the home side back on track with a precise strike that came off the right goal post into the net.
The goal came shortly after Neymar escaped a red card following a clash with Luka Modric.
Many thought the World Cup opener was headed for a draw, a result not many saw coming with Brazil playing at home.
But this thought was quickly followed by converting a controversial penalty after Lovren was ruled to have pulled down Fred in a questionable decision that many commentators called soft.
Oscar put the match beyond doubt in the first minute of injury time, toe-poking home a goal that should’ve been saved by the Croatian goalkeeper.
With Mexico and Cameroon next to come, Brazil are well positioned to make an expected progression through the group stage, in quest of a record sixth World Cup title.
Croatian coach Niko Kovac was rightly furious at the decision that broke the game open.
“If anybody saw that was a penalty, let them raise their hand. I cannot raise my hand. I didn’t see it,” said Kovac.
“If you continue in this vein then there will be 100 penalties during this World Cup.”
Kovac branded the spot kick award “ridiculous”, saying he blamed himself for not saying during Wednesday’s press conference that he would be “keeping a beady eye on the referee”.
The disappointed coach said he felt his team had deserved to earn at least one point from the match, and said he was proud of how his players performed in front of passionate Brazil supporters.
He didn’t blame Fred for tumbling in front of the goal mouth.
“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 football.
“What I want is for the referees to stick to the laws of the game, applying them equally to both teams. The referee was well placed, he was not unsighted, he saw everything and he took that decision.”
What were your assessments of the game Roarers? Mike Tuckerman clearly didn’t see it the same way as Kovac:
Ugliest aspect of modern football. Croatia outplayed, made silly mistakes… "but hey, it's the referee's fault we lost!" Weak. #BRAvsCRO
— Mike Tuckerman (@Mike_Tuckerman) June 13, 2014
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