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Neymar leads Brazil to 3-1 win over Croatia
APTOPIX Brazil Soccer Heal WEB
Brazil's Neymar, left, scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday. - photo by Associated Press
SAO PAULO — Neymar gave Brazil a winning start to its home World Cup, scoring twice to lead the host nation to an unconvincing 3-1 victory over Croatia in the opening game on Thursday. Brazil had a disastrous start when defender Marcelo found his own net while trying to clear a low cross by Ivica Olic in the 11th minute, but Neymar then showed why the nation's high hopes are all pinned on him. The 22-year-old forward equalized in the 29th minute, clearing a defender in midfield before making a run toward the edge of the area and firing a perfectly placed low shot that went in off the post.