Brazil vs Croatia Post-Match

Starting Lineups

                         Brazil (4-3-3)                                                                  Croatia (4-5-1)
                     
                           Julio Cesar                                                                      Pletikosa

Alves        Luiz                   Silva      Marcelo                   Srna      Corluka             Lovren  Vrsaljko

          Gustavo       Oscar           Paulinho                                        Modric           Rakitic

Hulk                        Fred                 Neymar                   Perisic                Kovacic               Olic

                                                                                                                    Jelavic

Game Summary

It wasn't convincing, but Brazil found a way to squeak out the victory over Croatia in their tournament opener. After falling behind early they found their footing and took the 3 points from the opening match of the tournament. On another day Croatia could have come away with a 2-0 win, but goalkeeping errors and the referee made sure that day was not this one.

Brazil began the first half playing extremely sloppy football. They were playing with no urgency or ambition. Croatia took advantage of the shambolic defending with a few early counterattacks. Olic should have scored within 8 minutes with a header at the back post, but it drifted wide. Croatia didn't have to wait long for their breakthrough. In the 11th minute Croatia made another move down the left. Olic played a low cross into the box which Jelavic let run between his legs, the ball caught Marcelo off guard and he accidentally turned the ball into his own net (http://i.imgur.com/Q9Yi5zO.gif). The goal left the stadium in a quiet state of shock, but it may have been just what Brazil needed, a wake up call for the team. Following the goal Brazil began to impose their will on the game. The defense tightened up and they began to possess the ball in the Croatian half. In the 30th minute Brazil found the equalizer. A miss-hit from Neymar found its way through the crowded penalty area and past the Croatian keeper (http://gfycat.com/LegitimateColorlessGourami). Brazil continued to pile on the pressure but were unable to muster the go-ahead goal going into the break.

Both teams failed to take the game by the horns in the second half. The first 25 minutes were full of uninspired midfield play, with neither team looking like they were going to score. In the 70th minute the Brazilians broke down the right hand side and sent in a low cross toward Fred. Fred's touch sent the ball away from him and as it was just getting out of reach he threw himself to the ground in an attempt to draw a penalty. The referee bought the dive and awarded a penalty to Brazil (http://gfycat.com/ArtisticSecretBalloonfish). Neymar stepped up to the spot amid the controversy to take the penalty kick. The Croatian keeper was able to get both hands on Neymar's shot (and probably should have saved it) but was unable to keep it from hitting the back of the net (http://gfycat.com/OrneryGranularGreathornedowl). Brazil pushed on for their third goal, which would put the game out of reach. David Luis went close with a header just minutes after Neymar's second goal. The next big chance came for Croatia. A looping cross from the left floated to the back post, where Olic out jumped the goalie, Julio Cesar, and sent the ball back across the box. The ball was turned in by Perisic but Olic was judged to have fouled Julio Cesar, and a foul was awarded. Yet another controversial refereeing decision went in favor of the hosts. The next big chance came in the 90th minute, Croatia rifled back to back shots onto Julio Cesar's net but nothing came of it. During the following attack Oscar capped the night off with a toe poke past the Croatian keeper following a break away down the middle of the field (http://gfycat.com/InsidiousBrownFoxhound). (Once again, probably should have been saved)

The lack luster performance from Brazil leaves a lot of work to be done if they want to contend for the title. However, this win against Croatia most likely assures what we already knew, Brazil will head into the round of 16 atop group A. For Croatia they are left with games against Cameroon and Mexico. They'll need points from both games in order to advance.

By: Joey Fishbein