First Half of 2014 FIFA World Cup Opening Match Brazil VS Croatia

The man who was assigned to referee the opening match of 2014 FIFA World Cup is Japan’s Yuichi Nishimura and was assisted by Toru Sagara and Toshiyuki Nagi, having designated fourth official from Iran, Alireza Faghani.

The captains meet at midfield and shake hands with Yuichi Nishimura and his officiating crew.

The decibel level reaches an incredible high as the crowd anticipate kick-off. The Estadio de Sao Paulo is ready. The world is ready. And Croatia will get us under way.

KOVAČIĆ (Croatia) sees an effort go off target.

CORLUKA (Croatia) concedes a free-kick following a challenge on HULK (Brazil).

DAVID LUIZ (Brazil) sees his effort hit the target.

PLETIKOSA (Croatia) pulls off a save.

OLIĆ (Croatia) sees an effort go off target.

PERIŠIĆ (Croatia) is penalised after committing a foul.

RAKITIĆ (Croatia) commits a foul.

PAULINHO (Brazil) sees an effort go off target.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) swings in the corner.

MARCELO (Brazil) scores an own goal!!

Olic breaks down the Croatia left and is not closed down. He hits a low cross towards goal which is flicked on by Nikica Jelavic at the front post, Marcelo cannot stop his feet in time and it ends up in the back of the net.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) sees his effort hit the target.

CORLUKA (Croatia) pulls off a save.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) swings in the corner.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) takes a corner kick.

PAULINHO (Brazil) sees his effort hit the target.

Paulinho's shot stings the hands of Pletikosa but fortunately for the Croatia keeper it was right at him.

PLETIKOSA (Croatia) pulls off a save.

OSCAR (Brazil) sees his effort hit the target.

What a save! After Neymar dribbles past Rakitic, the ball is cleared out but only as far as Oscar who takes a shot from long range. Pletikosa is well up to the task though.

PLETIKOSA (Croatia) pulls off a save.

HULK (Brazil) sees an effort go off target.

PERIŠIĆ (Croatia) commits a foul.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) concedes a free-kick following a challenge on MODRIĆ (Croatia).

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) is cautioned.

The crowd are trying to get Brazil going here in Sao Paulo, raising the noise level every few minutes when the hosts have the ball in the Croatia half.

JELAVIĆ (Croatia) sees his effort hit the target.

JULIO CESAR (Brazil) pulls off a save.

Neymar breaks free of the Croatian defenders, leaving them in his wake before setting himself and shooting across Pletikosa with his left foot, the ball nestles in the bottom corner, off the post.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) scores!!

This tie up 1:1 MARCELO (Brazil) scored for Croatia and NEYMAR JR (Brazil) goal came in 29^th minute and was from close range. A Seleção surround Neymar after notching the equalizer.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) swings in the corner.

RAKITIĆ (Croatia) swings in the corner.

SRNA (Croatia) commits a foul.

DANI ALVES (Brazil) sees his effort hit the target.

VRSALJKO (Croatia) pulls off a save.

Croatia have been putting in some tough challenges all night, particularly on the goalscorer Neymar.

RAKITIĆ (Croatia) commits a foul.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) sees his effort hit the target.

RAKITIĆ (Croatia) pulls off a save.

NEYMAR JR (Brazil) swings in the corner.i

Brazil breaking fast on the counter-attack

LOVREN (Croatia) concedes a free-kick following a challenge on FRED (Brazil).

Neymar dribbles at the defence with pace yet again, the ball comes back to Hulk who shoots but misses high and wide

HULK (Brazil) sees an effort go off target.

JELAVIĆ (Croatia) concedes a free-kick following a challenge on L GUSTAVO (Brazil).

Yuichi Nishimura brought first half to an end.