Brazil rode a wave of national fervour to launch the World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Croatia thanks to one man. His name – Neymar. The 22 year-old certainly proved doubters wrong, if there were any, that he can manage the expectations of a whole nation on a field.
The superstar scored in each half as Brazil recovered from conceding an early Marcelo own goal at the Arena de Corinthians in front of 61,600 fans in Sao Paulo. Oscar sealed the 3-1 win with a late strike but everyone will be talking about just Neymar.
Not only did he grab a goal, but he also scored an important penalty that surely calmed the Brazil squad. A penalty at a time when Brazil were lacking ideas while going for the winner. But the Barcelona forward showed everyone that he surely can manage a nation that is hurting from riots and strikes and deliver a sixth World Cup.The superstar scored in each half as Brazil recovered from conceding an early Marcelo own goal at the Arena de Corinthians in front of 61,600 fans in Sao Paulo. Oscar sealed the 3-1 win with a late strike but everyone will be talking about just Neymar.
The forward who was also booked, is tipped by several to evolve into one of the game’s global superstars on home soil. With his first win in his first taste of a World Cup, he has managed to score
Neymar becomes the first player to score two goals on his World Cup debut since David Villa for Spain vs Ukraine on June 14 2006. He also becomes the first Brazilian to score a penalty in the World Cup game since Ronaldinho vs China in 2002. The two goals also made it his 32nd goal in 50 caps for the Brazilian side. Neymar has now scored five goals in his last four appearances for Brazil.