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Neymar inspired Brazil in the World Cup opener as the hosts got off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory over Croatia in Sao Paulo.
Neymar, Brazil's Barcelona talisman, proved the key for the 3-1 victory in a sparkling - and controversial - match that may well set the tone for a World Cup of thrills and skills.
Each Brazil goal, two scored by Neymar - the second after a dubious penalty won by Fred - and a third by Oscar was greeted by a flurry of fireworks bursting across the Sao Paulo skyline.
But who was the man of the match in Sao Paulo? Click through our player ratings below
Show all 22 1 /22World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Julio Cesar 7 Produced some assured catches and stops, and could do little about the goal.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Marcelo 5 Not completely at fault for the goal, but far from a complete performance.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Thiago Silva 6 Did much to eventually shore Brazil’s defence together, but not at his best.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings David Luiz 6 If always a little unreconstructed, Luiz did do well to cut out a range of Croatian attacks.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Dani Alves 4 Must realise he is no longer the right-back-cum-right-winger he used to be.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Luiz Gustavo 6 One of the typical midfield cogs that Felipe Scolari so leans on.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Paulinho 6 Eventually got to grips with Croatia’s technical midfield passing before being taken off.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Oscar 9 Neymar’s superb supporting act. Having kick-started the response, he delivered the sign-off.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Hulk 5 Mostly ineffective, before being taken off when the game really got serious.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Neymar 9 A decisive and potentially defining performance. This was the real deal.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Fred 6 Almost as ineffective as Hulk, but produced a blatant dive for the penalty.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Stipe Pletikosa 7 One exceptional save from Oscar and a host of solid ones.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Sime Vrsaljko 6 Ably supported Olic up the left for some of Croatia’s best moves.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Darijo Srna 6 Caused Brazil a fair few problems but eventually succumbed to the siege.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Vedran Corluka 5 Increasingly exposed by the runs and movement of Neymar and Oscar.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Dejan Lovren 5 Doubts about his starting place, but even more doubts about the unfortunate penalty decision.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Mateo Kovacic 6 Nowhere near as perceptive as for Inter, and eventually taken off.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Ivan Perisic 6 Another Croatian wideman who enjoyed such initial joy on the flanks, only to be gradually forced in.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Ivan Rakitic 6 Played his role but never as ably as Modric.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Luka Modric 7 One of the visiting sides better performers and often the source of some of those exhilarating early attacks.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Ivica Olic 7 Started superbly, ran out of steam: the story of the team.
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World Cup 2014: Brazil 3 Croatia 1 - player ratings Nikica Jelavic 6 Had an unintentional part in the goal, and caused Brazil enough problems.
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Brazil's next match is against Mexio in Fortaleza on Tuesday, while Cameroon take on Croatia on Wednesday.
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