Neymar stole the show as Brazil came from behind to open the World Cup with a victory over Croatia in Sao Paulo, but the match turned on a controversial penalty.
The poster boy of this World Cup came into the tournament with the responsibility of delivering Brazil the trophy they prize above all else.
At the Arena de Sao Paulo, he stepped up to the mark, finding the net either side of half-time to bring Brazil back from the brink after Marcelo had scored an early own goal.
Oscar cemented the result with a wonderful individual goal late on but the adulation went to the man with the No 10 on his back.
Neymar’s first goal was a low, sweeping effort that crept into the net from 25 yards. His second, 19 minutes before the end, was altogether more controversial.
This was the 10th consecutive win for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side but Brazil did not play with the fluency or flamboyance that saw them swat aside Spain to win the Confederations Cup so emphatically last year.
Their performance demonstrated flaws and fragilities but they will become harder and harder to beat.
Source-BBC
