Brazil
scored the first goal of the 2014 World Cup and it would've been a
perfect way to start their second turn as host nation had they not
scored the goal on themselves. Just 10 minutes into the opening match of
the tournament against Croatia,
Brazil defender Marcelo just got his toes onto a pass in front of his
goal that deflected off the feet of Croatia's Nikica Jelavic and knocked
it into the net.
This was Brazil's first own goal
in World Cup history and the timing of it stunned the crowd in Sao
Paulo. Several minutes later, some of the floodlights in the unfinished
Arena Corinthians went out, which rather perfectly summed up how hosting
the World Cup has gone for Brazil so far.
In the 27th minute, Brazil's great hope, Neymar, was shown a yellow card for planting a forearm to Luka Modric's neck.
But just two minutes later, just as he did at the 2013 Confederations
Cup, Neymar scored the first goal in Brazil's favor to make it 1-1 in
the 29th minute and prompt a relieved host nation to erupt with joy. It
was also the first World Cup goal of 22-year-old Neymar's young career.
Certainly no one was happier about it than Marcelo, though.
Neymar added a second goal with a
penalty off the hands of Croatia's goalkeeper in the 71st minute after
Fred fell down to draw the undeserved call in the box. That made it 2-1
Brazil. Oscar then sealed it for Brazil by adding another goal during
injury time and Brazil came away with a 3-1 win most people expected,
but in a way few predicted.
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