Brazil Struggles But Wins World Cup Opener The Fan
go to original June 13, 2014

Neymar of Brazil celebrates after scoring his second goal on a penalty kick in the second half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

It was not pretty, but Brazil managed to open the 2014 World Cup with three points as the host nation edged Croatia, 3-1, at the Arena Corinthians on Thursday.

Croatia took a shock lead early on thanks to Marcelo's own goal, but Neymar bagged a brace before Oscar tacked on a stoppage-time goal to see Brazil stave off some late pressure from the European side and take an early lead in Group A.

"It was better than I thought," Neymar said after the match. "I was hoping that we'd win, but to be able to debut in a World Cup with a brace is an unmeasurable joy."

It was Brazil's ninth straight win in World Cup openers, but the hosts made difficult work of it by conceding the opening goal in only the 11th minute.

Read the rest at The Fan

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