The stage was
set as host nation Brazil took on Croatia
in the opening game of the 2014 FIFA World cup. An “intimidating” atmosphere at
the Arena Corinthians, a 63,000 capacity stadium in São Paulo, which
was clad in yellow and packed with Brazilian fans.
Brazil had won eight of their
last nine group games at the World Cup, a record no other country has been able
to reach. Croatia started on a bright note as they showed signs of the threats
they could cause. A witty cross from Ivica Olić in the 2nd minute was
cleared out by David Luiz. In the 4th minute, David Luiz’s header was never
going to trouble the Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. There was a scary
moment for Brazil in Croatia’s next attack as Olić header went wide,
following a cross from Ivan Perišić.Croatia went ahead on the score sheet, when a teasing low-cutting cross fell behind the Brazilian backline and right into the path of Real Madrid left-back Marcelo, who mistakenly knocked the ball into his own net to the astonishment of his teammates and the home crowd.
A perfect cross from Oscar from the right hand side of attack into the 18-yard box, had both Fred and Neymar failing to connect the ball into the net. It was early days yet but the story was not familiar on the home ground of Seleção Brasileira (the Brazil national team). The Croatians, who did not look intimidated in front of the large Brazilian crowd, maintained their composure in the game as they kept on stringing some nice passes together.
In the 21st minute, a nice build up play by the host nation saw Neymar sneaking past Croatian left-back Šime Vrsaljko to lay off a nice pass but once again no one could connect as the Croatian defenders cleared their lines. An excellent follow up strike by Oscar was perfectly punched away by Pletikosa,who had been kept busy in the first 25 minutes.
There was another panicky moment for Brazil as Nikica Jelavić got his head onto the ball from Ivan Rakitić’s cross, but Júlio César was right on the spot as he grabbed the ball perfectly in the 26th minute. A Seleção got back on track when the “poster boy” Neymar’s brought his side back on level pegging with a well-placed low-driver into the bottom right corner of Croatia’s goal in the 29th minute.
On the 45th minute mark, Neymar charged into the Croatian box but his attempt to shoot the ball was deflected, and Hulk missed the target with the rebound. Brazil were eager to score a second goal before going into the break as they kept on pushing forward. After two minutes of additional time, Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura blew his whistle for the end of the first 45 minutes.
Back from recess, Brazil started from where they left off as they pressed the Croatians in their own half, by way of some patient build up play. However, the Croatians still made life uncomfortable for the Brazilians as they tried to hold on to the ball to avoid conceding again. Croatia gradually picked up their intensity after 6 minutes into the second half, making some few incursions. Ivan Perišić’s left-footed shot flew way off target.
The Brazilians had been tentative throughout the game as they had piled on pressure on the Croatian defense. In the 61st minute, the Croatia bench brought on midfielder Marcelo Brozović for Mateo Kovačić to stabilize their midfield. Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari responded to the tactical change effected by the opposing side, when he brought on Hernanes for Paulinho in the 63rd minute. A nervy moment shortly followed for Croatia, as a mistake by Dejan Lovren was capitalized on by Neymar only for Vedran Ćorluka to bring down the stylish player. A Dani Alves attempted free kick went just over the bar in the 67th minute.
In the 68th minute, Scolari, knowing what was at stake, brought on youngster Bernard for Hulk, who had not seen match action in the game. A controversial penalty was awarded to Brazil as Croatian defender Dejan Lovren was victimized when he allegedly held Fred in the penalty box. Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura did not hesitate as he pointed to the spot. Neymar’s penalty kick was almost saved by Pletikosa as the 35-year-old goalkeeper got his hands on the ball but could not neutralize the power behind it to keep it out. Brazil shot themselves in front for the first time in the game with about 20 minutes to go. There was a huge talking point as Croatia coach Kovač kept complaining on the touch line. In the 76th minute, David Luiz beat his marker to get his head to the ball but had his attempt on goal missed the target.
Niko Kovač brought on forward Ante Rebić for Jelavić in the 78th minute. Croatia warmed themselves back into the game with 10 minutes to go as they came in front of goal on few occasions. The frustrating moments for Croatian coach Niko Kovač continued as he could not endure the poor decision of referee Nishimura. A 30-yard strike from Luka Modrić saw Júlio César drawing on his vast experience to tip the ball away to keep his side in the lead.
Scolari brought on workaholic Ramires for two-goal hero Neymar with 2 minutes to go, in order to tighten his midfield as the Croatians look dangerous in the dying minutes of the game. A long range strike by Rakitić forced Júlio César to pull another excellent save in the 89th minute.
A counter
attack by Brazil in additional time, saw the delightful Oscar popping the ball
past Pletikosa after taking on the gallant defense of Croatia to hit it with
the tapering tip of the inside of his boot to put his side in a 3-1 lead. A
nation had indeed waited to celebrate. A captivating performance by 5-time the
world champions, albeit looking suspect at some particular moments in the game. Brazil
had triumphed in their opening game against Croatia. A very courageous effort
from the South American side.
LINEUPS
Brazil Starting XI: Júlio César, David Luiz, Thiago Silva(c), Marcelo,Dani Alves, Oscar, Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho/Hernanes, Fred, Neymar/ Ramires, Hulk/Bernard.
Croatia Starting XI: Stipe Pletikosa, Dejan Lovren, Vedran Ćorluka, Šime Vrsaljko, Darijo Srna(c), Mateo Kovačić/Brozović, Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Nikica Jelavić /Ante Rebić, Ivan Perišić, Ivica Olić.
By
Frank Darkwah
Follow Frank Darkwah on twitter.@Blaqqkoffi
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