Before we kick off the second half of the opening match between Brazil and Croatia.
The
second half is under way, the Brazilians resuming activity.
VRSALJKO
(Croatia) concedes a free-kick following a challenge on OSCAR (Brazil).
Brazil
have been camped in Croatia's final third in search of a second goal, but
Pletikosa's backline has held up well so far.
PAULINHO
(Brazil) is penalised after committing a foul.
OLIĆ
(Croatia) illegally handles the ball.
VRSALJKO
(Croatia) concedes a free-kick following a challenge on OSCAR (Brazil).
PERIŠIĆ
(Croatia) sees an effort go off target.
Ten
minutes into the second half and Croatia are still struggling to get out of
their half. The crowd are sensing a goal from the hosts, but nothing doing so
far.
PERIŠIĆ
(Croatia) commits a foul.
SRNA
(Croatia) concedes a free-kick following a challenge on MARCELO (Brazil).
Croatia
coach Niko Kovac has made the game's first change and it's a one-for-one swap
in the midfield.
BROZOVIĆ
(in) comes off the bench to replace KOVAČIĆ (out) (Croatia)
L
GUSTAVO (Brazil) commits a foul.
Luiz
Felipe Scolari follows suit shortly thereafter with his first change by
bringing on Hernanes, who is likelier to get into the attack than Paulinho.
HERNANES
(in) comes off the bench to replace PAULINHO (out) (Brazil)
JELAVIĆ
(Croatia) is penalised after committing a foul.
BROZOVIĆ
(Croatia) commits a foul.
CORLUKA
(Croatia) concedes a free-kick following a challenge on NEYMAR JR (Brazil).
The
Croatian is booked after clearing out Neymar in the middle of the park. That's
certainly not the first time the Brazil No10 has been brought down aggressively.
CORLUKA
(Croatia) is cautioned.
The
Brazil No2 had plenty of pace behind his free-kick but it was never looking to
surprise Pletikosa, who was happy to watch the ball sail high.
DANI
ALVES (Brazil) sees an effort go off target.
That's
Brazil's second subtitution tonight, Scolari electing to bring on the pacy
Bernard in place of Hulk.
BERNARD
(in) comes off the bench to replace HULK (out) (Brazil)
OLIĆ
(Croatia) is penalised after committing a foul.
FRED
(Brazil) is fouled inside the box by LOVREN (Croatia).
LOVREN
(Croatia) is yellow carded.
Penalty!
Nishimura points straight away to the spot after Fred was taken down in the
area by Lovren.
Neymar
places the ball on spot, looking to score his second of the game.
Neymar
takes a stutter-step approach and shoots to Pletikosa's right. The Croatian
keeper managed to get a hand on, causing a gasp from the crowd, but the No10's
shot was too powerful and found its way into the goal.
NEYMAR JR (Brazil) successfully converts the penalty!
Croatia
come storming back after the restart and David Luiz is forced to clear for a
corner.
RAKITIĆ
(Croatia) takes a corner kick.
LOVREN
(Croatia) sees an effort go off target.
OSCAR
(Brazil) commits a foul.
NEYMAR
JR (Brazil) swings in the corner.
DAVID
LUIZ (Brazil) sees an effort go off target.
REBIĆ
(in) comes off the bench to replace JELAVIĆ (out) (Croatia)
BERNARD
(Brazil) takes a corner kick.
OLIĆ
(Croatia) commits a foul.
RAKITIĆ
(Croatia) swings in the corner.
LOVREN
(Croatia) is penalised after committing a foul.
Croatia
were on the doorstep of Brazil's goal and initially looked to have scored, but
Olic fouled Julio Cesar and the referee rightly stopped play.
MODRIĆ
(Croatia) sees his effort hit the target.
JULIO
CESAR (Brazil) pulls off a save
REBIĆ
(Croatia) is penalised after committing a foul.
L
GUSTAVO (Brazil) commits a foul.
L
GUSTAVO (Brazil) is booked by the referee.
Scolari
makes his last substitution of the night, taking off the hosts' hero and
brining on Ramires in a defensive-minded change. The entire Arena de Sao Paulo
are on their feeting applauding Neymar after his two-goal performance.
RAMIRES
(in) comes off the bench to replace NEYMAR JR (out) (Brazil)
CORLUKA
(Croatia) sees an effort go off target.
PERIŠIĆ
(Croatia) sees his effort hit the target.
JULIO
CESAR (Brazil) pulls off a save.
BROZOVIĆ
(Croatia) sees his effort hit the target.
David
Luiz comes up with a massive stop to prevent Croatia's equaliser!
DAVID
LUIZ (Brazil) pulls off a save.
Oscar
weaves his way through the Croatian backline and fires a low stirke from long
range, catching Pletikosa off-guard. A brilliantly placed finish puts the game
all but out of reach for the Europeans.
OSCAR (Brazil) Scores!!
After scoring a clincher for Brazil, an emotional shot of Oscar posing a heart shape hand to the crowd.
BROZOVIĆ
(Croatia) sees an effort go off target.
The
final whistle sounds.
