Soccer-Brazil recover from early own goal, 1-1 with Croatia at halftime

Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa fails to save the goal scored by Brazil's Neymar (unseen) during the 2014 World Cup opening match at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo

Reuters/Sao Paulo

Nervy Brazil fell behind to an 11th-minute Marcelo own goal in the opening game of the World Cup against Croatia on Thursday, but got back on level terms thanks to a sublime Neymar strike just before the half-hour mark at the Corinthians arena. Roared on by a fanatical home support, Brazil gradually exerted control over the Group A opener and went in to the halftime break looking more like the team many expect to win a record-extending sixth World Cup