Neymar double, Oscar strike give Brazil 3-1 win opening game

An own goal from Marcelo in the 11th minute gave Croatia a surprise lead in the opening match of the World Cup against Brazil, but the hosts equalised through Neymar in the 29th minute. Slice of Brazil in 25-minute opening ceremony

Neymar scored two goals to put Brazil ahead of Croatia by 2-1. An own goal from Marcelo in the 11th minute gave Croatia a surprise lead in the opening match of the World Cup against Brazil, but the hosts equalised through Neymar in the 29th minute. Brazil went ahead of the Croats when Neymar converted a penalty in the 71st minute of the game.

Marcelo's own goal was the first by a Brazilian in World Cup history. The hosts fought back hard and created a host of chances including two shots on goal, but Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa kept his team ahead with stunning saves. Pletikosa, however, was beaten by a deftly placed left foot shot from Neymar. The all-along-the ground shot went into the left of the goalie.

Brazil's star forward Neymar also picked up the first yellow card of the 2014 World Cup.

Marcelo's moment of horror came in the 11th minute when he diverted Ivica Olic's cross past his goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

The starting squads are as follows:

Brazil XI: Cesar; D.Alves, T.Silva, D.Luiz, Marcelo; Paulinho, L.Gustavo; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred.

Croatia XI: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Modric, Rakitic, Perišic, Brozovic, Olic, Jelavic.