Brazil beats Croatia 3-1 in World Cup opener

Brazil’s Hernanes celebrates with Neymar, right, after Neymar scored his second goal on a penalty kick 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, Thursday, June 12, 2014. Left is Brazil’s Dani Alves. AP PHOTO/IVAN SEKRETAREV

SAO PAULO, Brazil–Star striker Neymar scored a bitterly contested penalty among two goals as Brazil beat Croatia 3-1 in the opening game of the World Cup on Thursday’s opening match.

After Marcelo scored an own goal, Neymar equalized and then put Brazil ahead from a highly controversial penalty in the second half when Fred fell in the area. Oscar rounded off the scoring in injury time with a brilliant solo goal.