It didn't start the way Brazil wanted it to. Croatia actually looked like they belonged on the same patch of grass as the hosts. They put one into their own net less than a quarter hour in. It almost couldn't have got any worse.
Then Neymar happened. The brightest young star in the game buried the equalizer and to get Brazil back on terms.
This game won't be remembered for that strike. Or for the surprising fight shown by Croatia. It will be remembered for the "penalty" called on Croatia's Dejan Lovren in the 69th minute and the subsequent flop by Fred.
Neymar, of course, nailed the penalty. But not without it going right through both hands of keeper Stipe Pletikosa. The ball almost didn't lie.
Some will say that the defender should never throw his arms over the summer of a player, daring the ref to make the call. The visitors couldn't reject to get the benefit of the doubt against Brazil, in Brazil. Many more will say that the flop was what got the call and it should have been let go.
In the World Cup, players need to be allowed to play. Penalties need to be few and far between, and called when obvious. A soft call like that can turn a game upside down.
And this one did. Brazil had energy and Croatia looked defeated. Oscar's goal in stoppage time had to happen. Both because Brazil had momentum and looked sure to score again. Also, to make sure that weak call wasn't the only difference between those two teams.
Many of us may have under estimated Croatia before today, but we won't anymore. If they play this week against Mexico and Cameroon, they will certainly escape this group.
In the end, after all the talk, after all the build up, the World Cup is here. The first game went about as we expected. Brazil won, and comfortably. Thankfully, this is only the beginning abs we have a whole month of this left.
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