World Cup 2014

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Brazil 2014

World Cup 2014

CNN brings you all of the action from Brazil as the hosts kick off the 2014 World Cup against Croatia in Sao Paulo.

3rd & 7 37yd

Cometh the hour, cometh the man: Neymar equalizes. (Credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 8:42:39 PM
Brazil 1-1 Croatia (43 mins)
It's a World Cup debut for the vanishing spray referees have at their disposal this tournament. When they mark 10 yards from a free-kick they spray a white line on the pitch to show where the wall can stand. It disappears within a minute or so. Neymar's free-kick is then blocked.

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 8:44:50 PM
Where I live in Zona Sul ... The entire neighborhood stood up and cheered at the first Brazilian goal!NewYorkerInRioat 9:43 PM

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 8:45:26 PM
Brazil 1-1 Croatia

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 8:49:10 PM
Neymar celebrates his goal.
(Elsa/Getty Images)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 8:50:19 PM
Joseph Barton
@Joey7Barton
Oscar and Neymar Brazil's most influential players so far. Croatia more than holding there own. Great opening game this... #WorldCup2014
Jun. 12, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 8:51:54 PM
GET IN TOUCH

So, what did you make of that? A pretty entertaining half all in all. Two goals, a decent smattering of chances and a great atmosphere inside the stadium.

How will the second half pan out? Let us know using the hashtag #CNNWorldCup, get us @CNNFC on Twitter or Instagram, or visit our Facebook page.

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 8:55:15 PM
Neymar's shot squirms past Pletikosa.
(Elsa/Getty Images)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 8:57:10 PM
PORTUGAL FANS, LOOK AWAY NOW!!!
Chris Eldergill
@EldergillCNN
NEW: Worrying image for Portugal fans as Ronaldo limps out of training (via AP): #CNNWorldCup #Portugal pic.twitter.com/5EdOvSrBCe
Jun. 12, 2014
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by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 8:59:29 PM
A breathless, brilliant first half from Sao Paulo. More of the same in the second period please!

Where are you watching this pulsating contest? Send us your pictures on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, just make sure you use the hashtag #CNNWorldCup.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:05:54 PM
SECOND HALF
We're back under way at the Arena Corinthians.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:06:24 PM
Brazil 1-1 Croatia (50 mins)
The home team is trying to apply some pressure early on in the second half. Dani Alves gets to the byline and fires in a cross which sails over his teammates before Oscar is hacked down near the corner flag. Neymar's resulting free-kick is headed clear by Vedran Corluka.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:11:25 PM
I wonder who this chap is supporting?
(Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:12:17 PM
Brazil 1-1 Croatia (55 mins)
Croatia has made a solid start to this half and after an initial flurry from Brazil, the game has settled down. Perisic blazes the Croats' first shot of the half high over the crossbar. If the score stays level for much longer, this Arena Corinthians crowd could become restless. A draw simply won't do for the hosts.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:16:08 PM
The sun sets on day one of the 2014 World Cup.
(Warren Little/Getty Images)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:20:07 PM
Brazil 1-1 Croatia (63 mins)
The first substitution of this World Cup is a Croatian one, midfielder Marcelo Brozovic replaces Mateo Kovacic. Croatia is slowly growing in confidence and seeing more and more of the ball, with Scolari responding by bringing Hernanes on for Paulinho. It's a flat performance from Brazil in this half and the crowd is beginning to make its disapproval known.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:23:58 PM
Brazil 1-1 Croatia (65 mins)
Neymar suddenly sparks into life after Corluka is sloppy in possession. The No. 10 surges forward, before Corluka chops him down with a horrible lunging tackle. The magic white spray is out and Brazil has a free kick in a dangerous position... but Dani Alves balloons his shot over the top.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:26:24 PM
John Sinnott
@JohnSinnott
Croatia more than holding their own - relatively untroubled defensively by Brazil - one snag: hard to see them scoring #bra 1-1 #cro
Jun. 12, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:27:16 PM
PENALTY TO BRAZIL!!!

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:29:01 PM
The Japanese referee with a huge call! Lovren is punished for dragging down Fred, although the big striker went down very easily. The Croatians are furious, Neymar has the chance to give Brazil the lead...

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:30:06 PM
Brazil 2-1 Croatia (Neymar, 71 mins)

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:31:43 PM
Brazil 2-1 Croatia (73 mins)
The first moment of controversy of this tournament and Brazil has got out of jail. It looked like a very generous decision from the referee, who adjudged that Lovren had pulled down Fred. Neymar's penalty wasn't the best, going in despite goalkeeper Pletikosa getting a hand to it. That's 33 goals in 50 matches for Brazil for Neymar, incredible.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:34:23 PM
Ben Wyatt
@BenWyattCNN
2 goals to the good for early #GoldenBoot candidate #Neymar but goalkeeper nearly saved and was never a penalty #CNNWorldCup
Jun. 12, 2014
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by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:35:19 PM
Let's start the ball rollin'. Viva Brasil! 😜😜😜
by sis_maysie via Instagram

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:36:13 PM
Brazil 2-1 Croatia (73 mins)
It should be 3-1 to the hosts. Oscar, who has been as good as anyone for Brazil, swings in a delicious cross from the left-hand side. David Luiz rises to meet it with a powerful header which sails over the bar, much to the annoyance of Neymar who was waiting behind him to convert a simple finish. Luiz apologizes and so he should, he's just denied Neymar a hat-trick on the biggest night of his life.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:38:41 PM
Neymar celebrates his and Brazil's second goal in Sao Paulo.
(Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:39:02 PM
Natasha Maguder
@NatashaCNN
You know I hate it when that kind of refereeing happens. Come on #Croatia ! #WorldCup2014
Jun. 12, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:40:19 PM
"generous" from the referee ? You're generous with the referees and the guys giving them directives !Dick tecktivat 10:37 PM

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:40:34 PM
Brazil 2-1 Croatia (85 mins)
A heartstopping moment for Julio Cesar and Brazil is once again saved by the officials. The goalkeepers fumbles a deep cross under pressure from Ivica Olic, the striker pounces and pulls the ball back for Perisic who rolled the ball into an empty -- only to see the referee blow his whistle. It looks like the cross might have looped out of play, it certainly didn't look like Olic fouled Cesar.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:44:56 PM
OptaJoe
@OptaJoe
2 - Neymar is the first player to score 2+ goals on his #WorldCup debut since David Villa for Spain vs Ukraine on June 14 2006. Impact.
Jun. 12, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:46:13 PM
Brazil 2-1 Croatia (86 mins)
Brazil is looking very shaky as the full-time whistle approaches and Croatia continues to push forward. Luka Modric's fizzing low shot is turned away unconvincingly by Cesar, who looks rattled. Can Brazil hold on for the win?

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:47:09 PM
Brazil 2-1 Croatia (88 mins)
A bold change from Scolari, who is taking off Neymar to bring on an extra midfielder in the shape of Ramires. A defensive switch, the Brazil coach will be hoping it doesn't backfire. Two minutes of the 90 remaining.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:48:35 PM
A nation holds its breath ... before Neymar converts from the spot.
(Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:48:50 PM
FOUR MINUTES ADDED TIME

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:50:23 PM
Brazil 3-1 Croatia (Oscar, 91 mins)

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:51:43 PM
Brazil 3-1 Croatia (92 mins)
It's going to be a victory on opening night for Brazil, Oscar scoring the goal his performance has deserved. Moments after Cesar made a clumsy save to preserve his team's lead, the hosts seal the win. Oscar's finish was delightful, poking a 20-yard shot beyond Pletikosa after a strong sprint forward.

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:53:23 PM
John Sinnott
@JohnSinnott
Croatia really unfortunate to be three down. Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura unlikely to be on their Xmas card list #bra 3-1 #cro
Jun. 12, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 9:54:05 PM
Final score: Brazil 3-1 Croatia

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 9:55:10 PM
FULL TIME Brazil 3-1 Croatia
The first match of the World Cup certainly delivered in terms of entertainment, but there will surely be more spoken about the penalty that turned the tide in Brazil's favor. Referee Yuichi Nishimura infuriated Croatia with a soft award and despite a few late wobbles, Brazil held on and nicked a late goal through Oscar to add to Neymar's brace.

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:01:32 PM
Oscar pokes home Brazil's third goal.
(Kevin Cox/Getty Images)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:02:46 PM
Oscar.Simply Perfect! What a good kick off!yuriadacruzat 10:53 PM

by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 10:03:26 PM
And then celebrates accordingly...
(Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:03:35 PM
congrats brazil for a wonderful match, keep it up, we will be waiting for more scores , try the best, and once again congrats to NEYMAR , and dont forget FOOTBALL MEANS BRAZIL and BRAZIL MEANS FOOTBALL,dipendra chand thakuri...at 10:58 PM

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:04:30 PM
Omoruyi Aigbe
@aigbeomoruyi
@CNNFC Brazil played fantastic football but the Referee, I have my reservations. #CNNWorldCup #WorldCup2014 #WorldCupFact
Jun. 12, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:07:22 PM
Hot off the press, here is our match report for Brazil 3-1 Croatia.

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:08:12 PM
The host nation are off and running...
(Franck Fife/AFP/Getty)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:12:52 PM
The fans may have gone home from the Arena Corinthians happy but there have been more disturbances in Rio near to the fan park on Copacabana beach.

Protesters hurled objects at some of the TV studios amassed at one end of the beach. This is a theme that is set to run and run it looks like.

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:14:48 PM
Aleksandar Holiga
@AlexHoliga
Kovač: 'We talk about respect. That wasn't respect. Croatia didn't get any'
Jun. 12, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:18:31 PM
Harry Reekie
@HarryCNN
Jun. 12, 2014
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by tom.mcgowan 6/12/2014 10:24:50 PM
Right, that will do it for our coverage of the opening day of the World Cup, and in truth, it has been a strange one.

Brazil won on the pitch thanks to a brace from the tournament's poster boy Neymar, and a debatable decision from the referee, and though plenty of fans departed happy the backdrop of protest was a recurring theme throughout, before and after the match in Sao Paulo.

A festival of football awaits over the next month but so it seems does a persistent reminder that a large slice of this soccer-loving country is unhappy that FIFA's showpiece event has landed on their shores. Make sure you follow the on and off the field stories with us at CNN.

Bye for now.

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:30:15 PM
David Luiz shows his delight at Brazil's opening victory.
(Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty)

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:31:29 PM
This is an unprecedented historical moment for Brazil. The street protests organized World Cup and show the Brazilian cultural diversity. I am Brazilian and I'm rooting for a more serious social policy and that our team wins the Cup.João Carlosat 10:42 PM

by Chris Murphy 6/12/2014 10:31:49 PM