Gallery: World Cup - Day 1

Updated / Friday, 20 Jun 2014 21:39
The opening ceremony begins at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paolo
The opening ceremony begins at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paolo

The best photos from the first day of the World Cup, featuring the opening match which saw Brazil take on Croatia. 

Dancers in the first segment of the ceremony were dressed to represent Brazil's natural treasures
Dancers in the first segment of the ceremony were dressed to represent Brazil's natural treasures
Brazil fans do the same in the sunshine
Brazil fans do the same in the sunshine
The Brazil and Croatia squads line up before the match kicks off
The Brazil and Croatia squads line up before the match kicks off
Neymar sets up to kick things off following the own goal
Neymar sets up to kick things off following the own goal
Marcello looks on at his own goal in the eleventh minute
Marcello looks on at his own goal in the eleventh minute
David Luiz was not pleased at the play, which put Croatia up 1-0 early on
David Luiz was not pleased at the play, which put Croatia up 1-0 early on
A Croatian player celebrates his team's quick stroke of luck
A Croatian player celebrates his team's quick stroke of luck
Winding up, Neymar shoots and scores an equaliser in the 29th minute from just outside the box
Winding up, Neymar shoots and scores an equaliser in the 29th minute from just outside the box
Neymar runs down the pitch, hunting for a seam in the defence
Neymar runs down the pitch, hunting for a seam in the defence
Neymar and his team-mates celebrate his goal
Neymar and his team-mates celebrate his goal
Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa extends but misses Neymar's strike
Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa extends but misses Neymar's strike
Brazilian defenders David Luiz and Marcello proudly sing their national anthem
Brazilian defenders David Luiz and Marcello proudly sing their national anthem
Brazilians and Croatians collide while fighting for possession
Brazilians and Croatians collide while fighting for possession
Captains Thiago Silva and Darijo Srna shake hands before the kick-off
Captains Thiago Silva and Darijo Srna shake hands before the kick-off
Head match referee Yuichi Nishimura hands Neymar a yellow card in the first half
Head match referee Yuichi Nishimura hands Neymar a yellow card in the first half
Modric continues to quest for another Croatian goal
Modric continues to quest for another Croatian goal
Croatian midfielder Luka Modric drives upfield, while being chased by Neymar
Croatian midfielder Luka Modric drives upfield, while being chased by Neymar
Neymar celebrates with his fellow Brazilians while Pletikosa grieves the goal scored
Neymar celebrates with his fellow Brazilians while Pletikosa grieves the goal scored
Neymar takes the penalty for his team...
Neymar takes the penalty for his team...
Fred calls for a penalty after a controversial (non)-takedown
Fred calls for a penalty after a controversial (non)-takedown
...And scores to bring Brazil ahead 2-1
...And scores to bring Brazil ahead 2-1
Croatian fans celebrate the opening of the 2014 Word Cup in Zagreb
Croatian fans celebrate the opening of the 2014 Word Cup in Zagreb
Lovren's team-mates furiously contest the call
Lovren's team-mates furiously contest the call
Brazilian midfielder Oscar scampers ahead in the first minute of extra time
Brazilian midfielder Oscar scampers ahead in the first minute of extra time
Oscar shoots a toe tap in the box on the left side...
Oscar shoots a toe tap in the box on the left side...
Nishimura grants Fred's request, handing a yellow card to Croatian defender Dejan Lovren
Nishimura grants Fred's request, handing a yellow card to Croatian defender Dejan Lovren
Oscar celebrates, as Brazil exits the first day of World Cup action with a solid three points to their name
Oscar celebrates, as Brazil exits the first day of World Cup action with a solid three points to their name
...Which scoots past the Croatian keeper to cement Brazil's victory at 3-1
...Which scoots past the Croatian keeper to cement Brazil's victory at 3-1

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