The Day in 100 Words or Less It was a day for football fans to try and set aside their consciences and allow what happens on the field to distract them away from the happenings in Brazil. It was a day where the host nation were asked to open the tournament and show us what they were made of: A day that the history books will show as a win for Brazil but ultimately the bigger story was much more than that. Observations - Croatia deserved a chance to show us what they were made of. For 70 minutes they were rightfully level with the World Cup favourites. It could have been an acid test for Niko Kovacs side to see what they could accomplish. Unfortunately, they were robbed of that opportunity. - It was a very unfortunate moment. Many eyes were on this game that rarely glance at a soccer match and when referee Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the spot in the 70th minute the world asked: "Why?" The Japanese official adjudged that Dejan Lovren had fouled Fred but the truth was he placed his hand on his shoulders and the Fluminense man went down. - With the world watching it was hard not to feel sadness. In the opening act of the games greatest carnival, one mans massive error in judgment had turned the spectacle into a farce. - It then became Neymars day. For a 22-year-old making his World Cup debut in Brazil, wearing the famous number 10 shirt, he showed a remarkable amount of poise. He had already scored one, gliding into space provided by Oscar, before unleashing a shot passed Stipe Pletikosa and then, at 1-1, he had the nations hopes placed on his right foot. - The referee handed the ball to Neymar at 69:30 and he placed it on the spot at 69:38. He then waited and waited and waited some more before placing the ball into the net 50 seconds after he put it down on the ground. I am not sure what was going through Neymars mind during those 50 seconds but he showed no sign of pressure in one of the most intense moments in recent Brazilian football history. - Croatia, led by the intelligence of Luka Modric, didnt go down easily and the game remained remarkably open until the final stages when Oscar finished it off. - We may never see another game at this World Cup that was this stretched. Brazil worked the flanks the entire game and two of Croatias most dangerous attacks (one on which was their goal) came from crosses wide in the opening 10 minutes. - Remarkably, less than 18 per cent of Brazils attacks came through the middle. Man of the Day Nominees: Neymar – a brace from Mr. Box Office in the biggest game of his young life put his face in newspapers across the globe. Oscar – The Chelsea playmaker had a brilliant game and showed just why Luiz Felipe Scolari cared little for his poor form at Chelsea in the last few months of the Premier League season. Luka Modric – Brazils two central midfielders had a very difficult time against the Real Madrid man, who was very intelligent with his passing and feasted on space when countering. Ivan Perisic – the Croatian winger had a very good game and it will be interesting to see if other players, asked to play against Brazils left side attacker, can be influential because Hulk - used a lot on the left - showed little appetite to track back. Yuichi Nishimura – the referee made a monumental mistake. Some on social media jumped to an assumption of match-fixing. Everyone needs to be very careful when drawing a line between incompetence and intentional error. The winner... Oscar was sensational. Many expected him to play centrally but he occupied a wide right position, tracking back and winning all four tackles he attempted. Brazil clearly had a plan to attack down the right but it was the 22-year-olds exceptional play certainly helped emphasize that method. Oscar has the potential to be the best player at this World Cup. He is so versatile, he can be three players in one. He is capable of coming deep and helping out the two central midfielders, can move wide and pull defenders with him to open up space centrally (which is what happened on Neymars first goal) and he can advance and run beyond all, pulling opposing back lines deeper. Brazil may need to change their style against a top team later in the tournament, potentially bringing in a Ramires or Fernandinho for Hulk, for example, and Scolari was given food for thought on day one for this because of the brilliance of Oscar out wide. Dani Alves was the biggest beneficiary of Oscars positioning. The Barcelona right back was culpable on the opening goal, pressing higher than anyone on Pletikosa as Croatia started an attack, but as the game settled down so did the 30-year-old. Between them they created a dynamic duo with overlaps and easily led the game in total pass completions between team-mates. What Comes Next? Day 2 sees Mexico vs Cameroon (Noon et/9am pt), Spain vs Netherlands (3pm et/Noon pt) and Chile vs Australia (6pm et/3pm pt). Catch all the game live on the TSN radio networks. Burning Question for Tomorrow Will a young Dutch team be brave enough to play a back three and counter a potentially vulnerable Spanish team? All stats and diagrams were powered by Opta Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys . As if the individual strands of grey hair or the increasing amount of joint pain werent reminders enough, the impending end of Jeters career is a slap-in-the-face indicator of a generations fleeting youth. Custom Nike Kansas City Royals Jerseys .Two San Francisco radio stations say they wont play the song during the duration of the World Series. A Kansas City, Missouri, station responded with plans to play the Grammy-winning track every hour from 7 a. https://www.customjerseysnikebaseball.com/. He had even more fun Friday. Coming off a sensational rookie season, Spieth opened the new year by never coming close to bogey and making a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 7-under 66. Custom Nike Chicago White Sox Jerseys . The Los Angeles Clippers showed them just how ugly that life could be. Jared Dudley scored a season-high 21 points, Chris Paul added 16 points and 17 assists, and the Clippers jumped all over the Bulls in Roses absence for a 121-82 victory Sunday. Custom Nike Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys .com) - The 12th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue a four-game homestand at Value City Arena on Wednesday night when they face off against the High Point Panthers in a non-conference matchup.First-choice locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick have been named in the New Zealand side to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. Both missed the 40-29 loss to Joe Schmidts side in Chicago two weeks ago through injury, where their presence in contact and the lineout was sorely missed as Ireland recorded their first win over the All Blacks in 111 years. New Zealand rugby legend Richie McCaw has been helping out with the rescue operation in the country, following a recent earthquake Regular blindside flanker Jerome Kaino, who played as lock in that defeat at Soldier Field, had been expected to slot back into the No 6 jersey for the match but has been ruled out with a calf strain. Liam Squire will instead link with captain Kieran Read and openside flanker Sam Cane in the loose forwards in a strong looking line-up. Ireland vs New Zealand November 19, 2016, 4:45pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass As expected, there is huge excitement and anticipation within our squad ahead of this weekends test against the Irish, saaid Hansen.ddddddddddddWhile there was obvious disappointment at the loss in Chicago, disappointment doesnt win Test matches. Its about having great preparation and attitude, and delivering on the day.World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett returns at fly-half and links again with scrum-half Aaron Smith, who looked out of sorts in Chicago after he was ruled out of the previous two games for his off-field indiscretions. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price Malakai Fekitoa and Anton Lienert-Brown retain their starting roles in the midfield following last weeks 68-10 win in Rome against Italy, while Julian Savea returns on the left wing having been rested last week.Israel Dagg, who missed the Chicago game, returns on the right wing and will provide a safe pair of hands under the high ball that Ireland used to great effect at Soldier Field as they peppered the All Blacks back three. Israel Dagg expects another tough game against Ireland We know the challenge we face from Ireland will again be massive and ...theyll be full of confidence and committed to delivering on their home patch, Hansen added.So we will have to take a massive step up, to get the performance we are looking for.New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Liam Squire, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (c).Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Waisake Naholo.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Ireland v New Zealand and Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: New Zealand lacked respect QUIZ: Irelands Chicago win NZ sevens role for Laidlaw Rugby Union fixtures ' ' '