Brazil 3 Croatia 1 player ratings: Neymar? Ivica Olic? Luka Modric? Oscar? Who was the star man in the World Cup opener?

Neymar celebrates after scoring the equaliser for Brazil against Croatia (GETTY IMAGES)

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

Brazil's next match is against Mexio in Fortaleza on Tuesday, while Cameroon take on Croatia on Wednesday.