Three Thoughts: Brazil's World Cup-opening win over Croatia

Author:
Brian Straus
Publish date:
Jun 12, 2014

SAO PAULO – The lights at the Arena de Sao Paulo went out shortly after kickoff and one of the ceremonial doves, released to mark the opening of the 2014 World Cup, couldn’t find its way out and got lost in the crowd. Then, Brazil fell behind to Croatia on an early own goal. There were bad omens everywhere.

But the hosts, powered by the skillful prodigy expected to lead them, found their groove and ran out 3-1 winners. Here are three thoughts on the opening game of the 20th World Cup:

NEYMAR THE STAR

Neymar, 22, is the youngest Brazilian player to wear the fabled No. 10 jersey at a World Cup since Pelé took the field in 1962. And that’s no accident – the FC Barcelona star, who was born about an hour’s drive from the Arena de Sao Paulo, is being counted upon to lead the host nation’s charge toward a record sixth title. Whether a player of his age and temperament – he’s criticized on occasion for preferring individual flair to team chemistry – could bear the burden was a key storyline heading into the World Cup.

On Thursday, before 62,103 fans and a city so geared for the opener that fireworks were seen across the skyline when he scored his first goal, Neymar delivered.

With freedom to roam in Brazil’s 4-3-3, Neymar consistently found both the ball and the seams in the Croatian rearguard. He was inventive, fearless and ultimately effective. In the 29th, nearly 20 minutes after the hosts fell behind on a Marcelo own goal (and only three after he was shown a yellow card), Neymar picked up the ball in midfield, dragged the entire Croatian defense to his left with a couple of quick touches than hit a low, sliding shot back to the right that beat goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.

In the 71st, Neymar scored his sixth goal in his past four internationals from the penalty spot. Fred drew the call, a bad one, when he flopped to the ground following contact with Croatia’s Dejan Lovren.

Neymar nearly had an assist in the first half and drew a yellow card on Verdan Corluka in the second. But ultimately, if the Selecao is to meet its mandate, Neymar must find the net. So far, so good.

WATCH: Neymar scores first two World Cup goals

BRAZILIAN RESILIENCE

Over its past three major tournaments – the 2010 World Cup, the 2011 Copa América and the 2013 Confederations Cup – Brazil trailed for a combined 45 minutes. How would it respond if it fell behind before its own demanding fans this summer? We found out on Thursday.

Marcelo’s own goal, which came after Croatia forward Nikica Jelavic misplayed a cross from Ivica Olic, was a stunner. But Brazil was out of its rut after about 20 minutes and was the superior side for a healthy majority of the remaining 70 (Croatia did have a couple of looks at goal toward the end).

Brazil’s outside backs, Dani Alves and Marcelo, played smarter, and Oscar, who scored the late backbreaker, proved to be a perfect complement to Neymar. Brazil held most of the ball and never appeared really rattled. That resolve, likely inspired by veteran coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, will be crucial considering the pressure and expectations heaped upon this team.

CREDIT TO CROATIA

Croatia coach Niko Kovac promised he wouldn’t “park the bus” against the skillful Brazilians. He kept his word.

The own goal with which his side took the lead wasn’t undeserved. Pushed on by a very offensively-inclined midfield anchored by Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, who is bound for Barcelona, the visitors went at Brazil without fear. Croatia spread the field, which left them vulnerable in spots but created a wide-open and entertaining first half that set a nice tone for the tournament. Olic was effective on the left wing and Inter Milan’s Mateo Kovacic, 20, moved the ball well. He may emerge as one of the World Cup’s top young talents.

Kovac, hired last fall, also promised “no surrender.” And there was none. Croatia was physical when it had to be (it committed 21 fouls to Brazil’s five) and caused the favorites some problems near the end while pushing for an equalizer.

Croatia could have come to Sao Paulo, bunkered and hoped. Instead, it played, and demonstrated that it has the quality to push for second place in Group A. Its response to Thursday’s defeat will be key. The controversial penalty (Lovren didn’t pull on Fred but did have his hands on the forward, inviting the referee to make a decision) could leave the Croats feeling the fates are against them. Or, their ability to take the game to Brazil, even briefly, may boost them to a spot in the second round.

GALLERY: 100 Best Photos from World Cup History

100 Best Photos in World Cup History

Bongarts/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Diego Maradona punches in the infamous “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.

Marcus Brandt/Bongarts/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Brazilian right back Cafu does a back flip after Brazil scored against Scotland in the 1998 World Cup.

John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Zinedine Zidane ends his international career in infamy by head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.

Romeo Gacad/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Andrés Escobar despairs after scoring an own goal against the United States in the 1994 World Cup. A few days later, Escobar was killed by drug lords in his native Colombia.

Steve Powell/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Diego Maradona, one of soccer’s best World Cup performers ever, dribbles in between six Belgians on his way to scoring a coast-to-coast goal in the 1982 World Cup. The goal is widely regarded as one of the best in soccer’s history.

Luis Suarez deflects a shot on goal by Ghana with his hand during the 2010 World Cup, resulting in him getting sent off and Ghana getting a penalty kick, which was saved.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Nijel de Jong kicks Xabi Alonso in the chest during the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.

David Beckham’s free kick curls over the wall of jumping Romanian defenders during England’s Group G match against Romania in the 1998 World Cup.

Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch in tears after being injured during Portugal’s Round of 16 clash with the Netherlands in the 2006 World Cup.

Sven Simon/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Caption: Morgan Wolf

Berti Vogt of West Germany heads the ball as Dutchman Johan Cruyff and teammate Franz Beckenbauer look on in the 1974 World Cup.

Werek/Imago/Icon SMI Caption: Morgan Wolf

Frenchman Patrick Battiston lies unconscious, sporting a broken jaw and missing two teeth after being on the receiving end of a body check from West German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher during the countries’ semifinal matchup in the 1982 World Cup.

Siphiwe Tshabalala scores the opening goal of the 2010 World Cup for hosts South Africa, sparking raucous celebrations throughout the stadium.

Andres Iniesta of Spain prepares to unleash a shot on goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands. His shot would go in, a 116th minute goal that won Spain’s storied national team its first-ever World Cup title, sending an entire nation into hysteria. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)

A joyous Andres Iniesta celebrates his decisive goal. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)

Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro lifts the trophy with confetti in the background after Italy defeated France, 5-3, in the penalty shootout of the 2006 World Cup final.

Clive Mason/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez dives in a vain attempt to save a brilliant extra time volley from Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez in the 2006 World Cup.

Nelson Mandela lifts the World Cup trophy in 2004 in Zurich, Switzerland after FIFA’s executive committee awarded the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

France’s Patrick Vieira is mobbed by his teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during France’s Round of 16 match against Spain in the 2006 World Cup.

Gary M. Prior/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Papa Bouba Diop of Senegal scores the winning goal against France and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in the 2002 World Cup. Emmanuel Petit and a ground Marcel Desailly of France look on helplessly.

Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

The ball hits the back of Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s goal after Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s 40-yard bullet of a goal in the 2010 World Cup semifinal between the Netherlands and Uruguay.

Zinedine Zidane heads home France’s first goal in the 1998 World Cup final.

Argentinian defender Roberto Sensini kicks the ball away from Japan’s Hiroshi Nanami with a sensational bicycle kick clearance during their Group H matchup in the 1998 World Cup. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)

Brazil’s Ze Roberto celebrates with teammates Cafu and Ricardinho after scoring in the Round of 16 match between Brazil and Ghana at the 2006 World Cup.

Simon Bruty/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Bulgarian Iordan Letchkov celebrates after his flying header goes in against Germany, beating them 2-1 in the 1994 World Cup quarterfinals.

A dejected Ronaldo is consoled by Brazilian teammate Bebeto after France defeated the defending champions, 3-0, in the 1998 World Cup final.

Vincent Amalvy/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Rasheed Yekini celebrates in the goal netting after Nigeria scored its first ever World Cup goal, against Bulgaria in the 1994 World Cup.

Martina Hellmann via Newscom Caption: Morgan Wolf

Frank Rijkaard spits at Rudy Voller in a match between Germany and the Netherlands, permanently cementing the moment as one of the World Cup’s most infamous.

Bob Thomas/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Paulo Roberto Falcao of Brazil celebrates a goal in the 1982 World Cup quarterfinal against Italy.

Melchert/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Caption: Morgan Wolf

Brazilian midfielder Socrates celebrates with teammate Zico on his back after scoring an equalizing goal, knotting the score at 1-1 against Italy. Italy would triumph in the end however, on its way to becoming champions.

Ronaldo runs away signaling his No. 1 status after scoring his second goal against Germany in the 2002 World Cup final.

Keystone/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Vava celebrates his goal that helped seal Brazil’s victory in the 1962 World Cup final for its second consecutive World Cup title. The Brazilians defeated Czechoslovakia 3-1.

Andreas Brehme of West Germany scores the only goal in the 1990 World Cup final between his country and Argentina.

Georges Gobet/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Andreas Brehme celebrates in front of teammate Jürgen Klinsmann after scoring the winning goal on a penalty kick during the 1990 World Cup final.

Ben Radford/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Michael Owen of England collapses and holds his head in his hands after England loses, 2-1, to Romania in their first-round match in the 1998 World Cup.

German Torsten Frings appears to block the ball with his hand on the goal line against the U.S. during the first half of their quarterfinal match in the 2002 World Cup.

Action Images/Icon SMI Caption: Morgan Wolf

American Clint Mathis gestures to the linesman to open his eyes during the U.S. vs. Poland Group D match in the 2002 World Cup.

Yugoslavia’s Branko Oblek celebrates after scoring as Zaire’s substitute goalkeeper Dimbi Tubilandu beats the ground in frustration en route to Yugoslavia’s 9-0 thrashing of Zaire at the 1974 World Cup. The match remains the biggest winning margin in World Cup history.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Englishman Gordon Banks saves Pelé’s header in a first round match of the 1970 World Cup, cementing his place in soccer lore forever as the goalie who made what is, perhaps, the greatest save ever.

Diego Maradona hoists the World Cup to the sky as he’s carried on the shoulders of his teammates following the conclusion of the 1986 World Cup final.

Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

France’s Zinedine Zidane jumps over the barrier as he celebrates his first goal during the 1998 World Cup final.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Caption: Morgan Wolf

North Korea supporters wave the national flag as North Korea walks onto the pitch with their opponents, Brazil, ahead of their Group G matchup in the 2010 World Cup.

Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

David Beckham receives a red card from referee Kim Milton Nielsen for kicking out at Diego Simeone during England’s match against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. Argentina would eventually go on to win the match in a penalty shootout, drawing intense criticism from the English, who blamed David Beckham for dooming them.

Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Luis Figo and Mark van Bommel go head-to-head in the Battle of Nuremburg, a World Cup match that set new records, featuring 4 red cards and 16 yellow cards in a physical match that had bad blood throughout. Portugal eventually won to advance to the quarterfinals.

Philippe Laurenson/DPPI/Icon SMI Caption: Morgan Wolf

France’s Patrick Vieira fouls Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo during their match in the 2006 World Cup.

Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas raises the World Cup trophy and celebrates with his teammates after Spain defeated the Netherlands, 1-0, in the 2010 World Cup final. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)

Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Wayne Rooney controls the ball during a Group B match between England and Sweden in the 2006 World Cup.

Tom Jenkins/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

England’s Wayne Rooney looks up at the red card as referee Horacio Elizondo sends him off during England’s quarterfinal match against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup.

Daniel Garcia/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Maxi Rodriguez celebrates at the end of Argentina’s Round of 16 win over Mexico in the 2006 World Cup.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Francesco Totti walks away in disgust after being awarded a controversial second yellow card in Italy’s second-round match with hosts South Korea in the 2002 World Cup as his teammates protest to the referee. South Korea went on to beat Italy, and Spain in the following match, fueling talk of bribery on the part of the South Koreans.

David Cannon/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

English goalkeeper David Seaman looks on in dismay after Brazil's Ronaldinho scores a phenomenal 42-yard free kick goal off the top left corner of the goal in the second half of a 2002 World Cup quarterfinal.

Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Ronaldo puts German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn’s mishandled save into the back of the net for the first goal of the 2002 World Cup final.

Brazilian defender and team captain Cafu holds up the World Cup trophy triumphantly as confetti rains down on him. Brazil defeated Germany, 2-0, in the final match of the 2002 World Cup.

Stu Forster/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Mehdi Mahdivakia of Iran celebrates his goal against the United States en route to his country’s 2-1 victory in the 1998 World Cup.

Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp controls the ball against Argentina’s Roberto Ayala during their quarterfinal match in the 1998 World Cup.

Antonio Scorza/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Thierry Henry kisses the World Cup trophy after France defeated Brazil, 3-0, to win the 1998 World Cup final on home soil.

Michel Platini kisses the ball before missing a penalty in France’s quarterfinal against Brazil in the 1986 World Cup.

Hungarian goalkeeper Antal Szabo saves a shot from Italian Silvio Piola during the 1938 World Cup final. Hungary would go on to lose, but Szabo famously said “I may have let in four goals, but at least I saved their lives,” reflecting on then-Italian ruler Benito Mussolini’s threat that his team would either “win or die.”

Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Zinedine Zidane walks past the World Cup trophy after being sent off in the final match of the 2006 World Cup.

Chris Cole/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Bebeto celebrates a goal in the 1994 World Cup with his now-famous “baby cradle” celebration.

Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel saves Daniele Massaro’s shot during the penalty shootout in the 1994 World Cup final.

Colombian Carlos Valderrama dazzles the 1990 World Cup with his head of curly, blond hair.

Brian Snyder/Reuters Caption: Morgan Wolf

Diego Maradona lets out a scream following his goal against Greece in the 1994 World Cup.

Roberto Baggio stares at the spot after missing a penalty in the 1994 World Cup final to give Brazil the win and the title.

Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Brazilian forward Romario kisses the World Cup trophy as his teammates Branco and Dunga look on after Brazil defeated Italy in the 1994 World Cup final.

Henri Szwarc/Bongarts/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Roger Milla dances at the corner flag after scoring a goal against Colombia in the 1990 World Cup.

Paul Gascoigne cries after England loses to West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semifinals. The game was tied at 1-1 and went to a penalty shootout, which West Germany won, 4-3.

Jacques Langevin/AP Caption: Morgan Wolf

Spanish riot police look on as English and French fans topple barriers as a result of fighting in the stands during England’s 3-1 win over France in the 1982 World Cup.

Archie Gemmill scores a penalty against the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup, his second of the game.

West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer performs the customary captain’s pregame handshake with East Germany’s Bernd Brausch, a historic moment that brought together the two separated (since rejoined) parts of Germany ahead of their first-round match in the 1974 World Cup.

England’s Bryan Robson heads the ball past French goalkeeper Jean Ettori to score his second goal of the match en route to England's 3-1 defeat of France in the 1982 World Cup.

Picture-alliance/dpa/AP Caption: Morgan Wolf

Uli Steilike curls up in a ball after missing the first penalty in a penalty shootout between West Germany and France (West Germany would eventually win despite Steilike’s initial miss)

Marco Tardelli of Italy goes nuts after scoring in the 1982 World Cup final on a wonder goal against West Germany.

Popperfoto/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Angry Brazilian players follow Welsh referee Clive Thomas after the conclusion of Brazil’s second-round match with Sweden. Thomas blew his whistle for full time while Brazilian Zico scored a free kick, inexplicably discounting the goal and ending the game.

Dutchman Ernie Brandts turns the ball into his own goal past his goalkeeper, Piet Schrijvers, for an own goal during the Netherlands’ second-round match with Italy in the 1978 World Cup.

Mario Kempes runs off to celebrate his game-clinching goal in extra time, which helped lift Argentina to a 3-1 victory of the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final.

Dutch star Johan Cruyff fakes out a goalkeeper and scores in the 1974 World Cup. Cruyff invented “the Cruyff turn,” one of soccer’s coolest and most devastating tricks, cementing his place in soccer history.

West German captain Franz Beckenbauer holds up the World Cup trophy after his team defeated the Netherlands, 2-1, in the 1974 World Cup final.

Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

West Germany’s Gerd Müller and Paul Breitner, the two West German goal scorers in the 1974 World Cup final, celebrate at the after-match banquet by smoking cigars.

Mexican forward Horacio Lopez Salgado hits a diving header under pressure from Soviet Union’s defender Gennadi Logofet during the opening match of the 1970 World Cup.

Pelé and Jairzinho celebrate after Pelé’s goal in the 1970 World Cup final. The game, which saw Brazil defeat another two-time champion, Italy, by a 4-1 margin, resulted in Brazil keeping the Jules Rimet trophy (the current trophy design began to be used at the following World Cup).

Imago/Colorsport/Icon SMI Caption: Morgan Wolf

England’s Bobby Moore shakes hands with Brazil’s Pelé after Brazil defeated England, 1-0, in the 1970 World Cup.

Central Press/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

North Korean Pak Doo Ik celebrates after scoring against Italy’s Enrico Albertosi, which ultimately was the lone goal in North Korea’s 1-0 victory for the reclusive nation over Italy in the 1966 World Cup.

English manager Alf Ramsey does his best to stop defender George Cohen from swapping shirts with Argentina’s Alberto Gonzalez following a stormy, ill-tempered match in a quarterfinal of the 1966 World Cup.

Portuguese legend Eusebio beats the Hungarian defense for a goal in the 1966 World Cup.

Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin makes a full-length dive to save a West German free kick during the semifinal of the 1966 World Cup. Yashin revolutionized goalkeeping as a whole with his dazzling saves and impressive command of his defense. He remains the only goalkeeper ever voted the European Footballer of the Year.

Pelé walks off in pain after injuring his shoulder against Portugal during their match at the 1966 World Cup.

Geoff Hurst turns away and celebrates after completing what remains as the only hat trick ever recorded in a World Cup final. The historic achievement was the highlight of a greater achievement -- the first and only World Cup victory for England.

English captain Bobby Moore soaks in the adulation of the home fans as his teammates hoist him and the World Cup trophy on their shoulders following the conclusion of the final.

Haynes Archive/Popperfoto/Getty Images Caption: Morgan Wolf

Chile’s 2-0 victory over Italy, infamously called the “Battle of Santiago”, was a game marred by various acts of violence that included three separate times when police had to restore peace on the field in order for play to continue.

Englishman Ray Wilson gets chased by a dog named Bob who wandered onto the pitch during England’s quarterfinal clash with Brazil in the 1962 World Cup.

Bobby Charlton shoots despite being defended heavily by Brazilian defenders in the quarterfinal of the 1962 World Cup in Chile.

Pelé celebrates as Brazil defeats hosts Sweden, 5-2, in the 1958 World Cup final. Pelé scored twice on a day that saw him become the youngest player to ever score in a World Cup final (a record that stands to this day).

French forward Just Fontaine attempts to dribble past Brazilian goalkeeper Gilmar during a semifinal clash in the 1958 World Cup.

German captain Fritz Walter and coach Sepp Herberger are hoisted on the shoulders of their compatriots after West Germany beat the heavily favored Hungarian team in the 1954 World Cup final, 3-2, nicknamed “The Miracle of Bern.”

Joe Gaetjans celebrates as the U.S. defeats England 1-0 in perhaps the most significant soccer game in U.S. history and still considered, even 60 years later, one of soccer’s greatest upsets.

Uruguayan Alcides Ghiggia celebrates in front of a hostile crowd at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro as Uruguay upsets the heavily-favored hosts Brazil to win its second World Cup trophy, in 1950.

Vittorio Pozzo, captain of the Italian national team, celebrates a victorious World Cup held in his home country in front of then-ruler Benito Mussolini.

Fans blow vuvuzelas following the opening match of the 2010 World Cup between South Africa and Mexico.

2006-cheryl-tweedy-victoria-beckham-coleen-mcloughlin.jpg — Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters Caption: Morgan Wolf

Coleen McLoughlin, girlfriend of England’s Wayne Rooney, sits behind Cheryl Tweedie, girlfriend of England’s Ashley Cole, and Victoria Beckham, wife of England’s David Beckham, as they look on from the stands before the beginning of England’s Group B clash with Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 World Cup.