Brazil wins opener: Read about it in English

13 มิถุนายน 2557

Learners: You know what happened from your own language. Now read about how the action was described in English. We'll give you lots of help.

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Note: Make use of the official Fifa videos, either before or after you read the story. They will be a big help in understanding the highlights of each match. In this case, the best place to start is the Brazil-Croatia highlight video:http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186456/index.html You can find all the videos here: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/index.html

It's an early disaster. Brazilian defender Marcelo (R) looks on helplessly as a ball he miskicked enters his own goal. Croatia's midfielder Ivan Perisic (L) celebrates. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN

Brazil win 3-1, surviving an early scare

SAO PAULO (AFP) – Brazil rode a wave of national fervour to launch the World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Croatia on Thursday as an opening day which began with violent clashes gave way to an outpouring of joy.

Brazil's forward Neymar (L) shoots to score the equaliser. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI

Barcelona superstar Neymar scored in each half as Brazil recovered from conceding an early Marcelo own goal to set up a win before hordes of golden-shirted fans at the 61,600-seat Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.

Brazil's forward Fred (front) appeals for a penalty as Croatia's defender Dejan Lovren looks on in disbelief. Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura decided it was a foul and Neymar took the penalty and scored, making the score 2-1. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

Chelsea midfielder Oscar put the seal on the win with a late strike from distance to trigger delirium.

The host nation's Group A victory was greeted by an explosion of fireworks across Sao Paulo, a sharp contrast to several hours earlier when riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse angry protests.

But a largely free-flowing tournament-opener was shrouded in controversy, with Brazil's winner coming courtesy of a dubious penalty when Croatia defender Dejan Lovren was harshly adjudged to have shoved Fred over.

The hosts, chasing a record sixth World Cup, had also enjoyed a degree of good fortune in the first half when Neymar received only a yellow card for elbowing Croatia's playmaker Luka Modric.

Moments later Neymar scored Brazil's equaliser to settle home nerves after Marcelo's 11th-minute own goal.

The match had kicked off after a spine-tingling rendition of Brazil's national anthem with fans – exhorted to unite behind the team by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari – roaring their support for the "Selecao." Even after the music stopped, fans and players alike put their hearts and souls into one more verse.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva epitomised the mood, bellowing a rallying cry to his team-mates as they embarked on their quest to earn a first title on home soil.

The victory provided a euphoric counterpoint to scenes earlier in the day when violent protests in Sao Paulo had threatened a stormy start to the month-long football extravaganza.

Brazil's midfielder Oscar (R) celebrates scoring with Brazil's midfielder Ramires. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS

(From L-R) Brazil's defender Marcelo, defender David Luiz and goalkeeper Julio Cesar sing their national anthem prior to their Group A football match against Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo. AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA

A torrid seven-year build-up bedevilled by delays and public anger at the tournament's US$11 billion cost, and scattered protests took place Thursday in several of the cities which will host World Cup games.

The worst violence took place just a few kilometres from the opening match, as anarchist demonstrators in black shirts and masks lit bonfires of rubbish after armoured police sought to quell protests.

But Sao Paulo and other cities largely went quiet as the game started. Yellow and green flags hung from many buildings.

A total of 64 games will culminate with the July 13 final in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium next month.

Friday's action promises more drama, with world champions Spain facing the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final in the northern city of Salvador in Group B.

Group B's other encounter sees dark horses Chile take on Australia. In the day's other remaining game, Mexico play Cameroon in Group A.

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