Not Happy: Croatia Coach Kovac believes his team was disrespected by bad calls.
Photo: Daily Mail UK
BRAZIL 3 - 1 CROATIA
Vanishing spray, Anyone?
Okay, yes, Brazil won this game, and all is well with the team, but things did get messy. There was, shall we say a "selfie" taken by Brazilian player Marcelo early on in the game. Woe is Marcelo. Naturally, ESPN commentators Ian Darke and Steve Macmanaman railed on and on about how this early and unprecedented goal against Brazil in a home match spelled doom for the team. Then finally, thankfully, Neymar evened the score some 15 minutes later. And by the way, Neymar is thrilling to watch. Believe the hype. Also, Defender, Dani Alves and Midfielder, Paulinho.
Things got messy again when a flagrant dive by Brazil Forward, Fred, was somehow interpreted by Japan referee, Yuichi Nishimura, as a foul by Croatia's Dejan Lovren, handing him a yellow card and granting Neymar a free kick, which he cashed in on, bringing the score to 2-1.
Still more messiness followed when Nishimura yellow-carded Neymar for a penalty against Modric. What Nishimura saw as a light penalty, many fans saw as a karate chop to the throat deserving a red card. Other fans believe Modric deliberately walked into Neymar's raised elbow looking for a foul. Once again, the Roshomon effect lives on in soccer.
My personal favorite goal was Brazil's third, scored by the boyish young Oscar, who I believe is the MVP of the match; he was an essential part of every key play.
Oscar brings home a third goal in the 90+ minute of the game.
Today's opening match was played at Arena Corinthians, São Paulo
Aesthetic Value: ** out of 5
Fear (of stadium collapse) Factor: *** out of 5
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