PHOTOS: Neymar shines as Brazil win World Cup 2014 opener

Add as a preferred source on Google

Sao Paulo, June 13: The FIFA World Cup 2014 has begun and so is The Neymar Show. And Brazil have made a winning start.

World Cup got under way here at Arena Corinthians on Thursday evening (June 12) and Brazil scored the first goal of the tournament but unfortunately for the hosts, it was an own-goal.

Brazil, though, overcame that goal through a double from Neymar, in his World Cup debut, to complete a 3-1 victory over Croatia. Neymar scored in 29th and 71st minutes. Oscar scored in the 91st minute to seal the game.

Marcelo deflected the ball into his own net, much to the disappointment of the home fans. However, Neymar brought them back into the contest by equalising 18 minutes later.

At half-time both teams were tied at 1-1. Marcelo's 11th mintue own-goal put Croatia ahead in this Group A encounter. Neymar found the back of the net in the 29th minute to draw level.

In the second half, Neymar converted the penalty-kick after Fred was fouled inside the box by Dejan Lovren.

Earlier, the World Cup opened with a colourful opening ceremony.

Here are the pictures from the match.

Neymar celebrates his goal

Brazil's Neymar celebrates after scoring a goal against Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2014 opening match

Own-goal from Marcelo

Hosts' fans were stunned when Marcelo put the ball into his own net. The picture shows Marcelo kicking the ball towards his own net

Neymar equalises

After trailing 0-1, Neymar equalised for Brazil and it was 1-1 at half-time

Corluka and Hulk

Croatia's Vedran Corluka, left, and Brazil's Hulk challenge for the ball

Olic and Silva

Croatia's Ivica Olic and Brazil's Thiago Silva push each other for the ball

OneIndia News