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WC MOTD preview: Brazil v Croatia

By on June 12, 2014

Venue: Arena Corinthians, São Paulo
Every four years, the world’s eyeballs convey on one single place. In the words of Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl, the tournament “feels like you are uniting everyone on the planet.” It is the world’s biggest sporting event, and today, it begins. Brazil face Croatia in the opening match, and although it is not in the least one of the most important matches of the tournament, it is undoubted that most every football fan on the planet will be tuning in to watch. The match is not even likely to prove much of a contest – but that itself just proves the extent of the popularity of the tournament, because it will still be watched by millions. For many, the match will take place in the middle of the night, due to time zones, yet the millions watching from the Eastern world will sacrifice their sleep to watch the match.

However, there appears to be only two ways the tournament can kick off. One, in complete surprise (if Brazil tie or lose), or two, the way it is heavily expected to kick off, in a Brazilian win. The Selecao will he heavily pressured to win not just the opening match, but all of their Group A matches, acting as hosts and one of the favorites to win the tournament, but it isn’t as if getting past Croatia will be a walk in the park. The Croatian midfield features the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, and the European nation has the best defensive record of any of the 32 teams in the tournament out of previous World Cups, having allowed just 11 goals in their 13 previous World Cup matches.

Brazil, though, have the advantage in their attacking brilliance, with Neymar, Oscar, and Fred set to spearhead the Croatian defense. But Luiz Scolari’s side didn’t have to play any World Cup qualifiers over the past year, so they have yet to be tested in a competitive match since their triumph over Spain in the 2013 Confederations Cup final. And while Croatia announced an attacking-oriented starting eleven, to try to beat Brazil at their own game, the odds are with the hosts of the tournament.

LINEUPS:

Brazil: César, Alves, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo; Paulinho, Gustavo; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred
Croatia: Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaijko; Borzovic Kovacic, Modric, Rakitic; Perisic Olic, Jelavic

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.