The greatest show on earth finally got under way.
Nothing new to report as Neymar scored two, the Hulk and his buddy Fred were rubbish, the Japanese referee (read FIFA) made sure the host nation is treated well in this World Cup, Dani Alves is the weakest link in this Brazilian squad and the studio pundits continued their David Luiz bashing.
It was an undecidedly nervy start by the Brazilians in Sao Paolo, as gaps in their defence were exposed time and again, especially with the likes of Dani Alves and Thiago Silva emulating many typical Brazilian defenders of the past.
Silva, who is the Brazilian captain, had a shaky first half (despite what his "passes completed" might say), being beaten by the veteran Ivica Olic twice and culpable for Croatia's opener.
Once again Alves went missing as Ivica Olic sent a low cross into the box past a ballet-esque skip from Thiago Silva.
Nikica Jelavic got a touch which went in off the foot of Marcelo, who gets the (dis)honour of being the first Brazilian to score an own goal in the World Cup finals, which at least makes it a record-setting match in the World Cup, if not anything else.
All was not lost, however, as Oscar looked dangerous from the start, whipping in crosses from the right and terrorising the Croatian left-side.
It is through his involvement in the middle of the park that led to Brazil's equaliser, his determination to win the ball back despite being surrounded by multiple Croatian defenders saw the ball break to Neymar, the Barcelona forward making his 50th appearance for the Selecao at the tender age of 22, who pushed the ball onto his left foot before hitting it low in off the post past a despairing Stipe Pletikosa.
A goal that might not have stood, however, if Neymar had been sent off for an elbow to Luka Modric just minutes earlier; we have seen red cards given for less, but our Japanese official might not have even made it to half-time alive.
Regardless, it was not such a great start for two of Brazil's youngest (and perhaps most important) attacking stars. Hulk and Fred were largely ineffectual, unable to beat their man or hold the ball up for runners moving into space.
Brazil started more comfortably in the second half, Croatia failing to get out of their own side of the pitch for the next 10 minutes.
Ivica Olic and Nikica Jelavic had heated discussions regarding attacking plays that stalled, but defensively everything was going according to plan 15 minutes in.
Brozovic came on for Mateo Kovacic, the maverick from Inter Milan whose ability in defence was called upon more often than his creative attributes.
Minutes later, Paulinho made way for Hernanes, a Brazilian also plying his trade in Italy at club level. Hulk came off for Bernard in the 68th minute, the added trickery signalling Scolari's determination to take all three points from their opening Group A game.
Then, controversy. With 20 minutes to go, Oscar, an ever-present thorn in Croatia's side, sent a low ball into Fred, who goes to ground with the slightest of touches from Dejan Lovren.
The referee blows the whistle, and it is a penalty for Brazil.
An incredulous Croatian team surround the referee as Lovren is booked, but Neymar shrugged off the delay and stepped up for his second of the night, with Pletikosa unable to stop the strike despite getting good contact on the ball (something he will surely be kicking himself for).
What Brazil could not do, FIFA surely seems to have lent a helping hand! And be prepared for more for Brazil in this World Cup.
Croatia did have the ball in the back of the net in the 82nd minute, but the referee deemed Ivica Olic's contact with Julio Cesar to be illegal.
With less than two minutes to go, Neymar was taken off (partly as a precaution for his booking, partly for the adulation of the crowd perhaps) to a standing ovation, Ramires coming on to ensure Brazil have an additional dynamic midfielder for the closing minutes.
Oscar rounded off the tie with a speculative toe-poke from outside the box in injury time, beating Pletikosa with a lazy dive.
Nothing less than the Chelsea man deserved and the Selecao take the three points just the way Scolari likes it – any means necessary.
And deservedly Oscar is my Man of the Match. – June 13, 2014.
*This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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