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NEYMAR returned to action yesterday after three months out with a foot injury to light up this World Cup warm-up match.
The 26-year-old was scheduled to arrive at half-time and once he did the game looked like it would go Brazil’s way. His strike which rattled off the underside of the bar in front of the Kop set Brazil on course for victory.
It was Philippe Coutinho’s first game back at Anfield since his move to Barcelona. Though there were a smattering of boos when his name was read out before kick-off, these were drowned out by cheers from the Brazil fans who filled most of the ground.
Coutinho is the player who gets the fans off their seats in Neymar’s absence and he occupied the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s usual spot on the left of the attack.
Brazil matches tend to have the feel of a home game wherever they are played and this was no different, but their defence began shakily.
They tried to play out from the back but were caught twice by Andrej Kramaric. The first incident saw the Croatia striker leave something on Thiago Silva, who was able to carry on despite the unnecessarily aggressive challenge. The second saw the striker pounce on a loose touch and test goalkeeper Alisson.
Croatia weren’t treating this like a friendly and Brazil manager Tite may have thought twice about bringing on Neymar.
Croatia pressed the excitement out of their opponents, especially in midfield where they didn’t have much to begin with. Willian and Coutinho were Brazil’s best outlets, but the latter fired his first attempt high and wide into the Anfield Road stand.
Neymar arrived in the second half as expected, replacing Fernandinho. Coutinho dropped into midfield as Brazil looked to escape Croatia’s press.
Marcelo shot wide as Brazil began to dominate. Paulinho edged further forward and Neymar had his side’s first shot on target. At the other end Alisson made a good save from Ante Rebic.
Roberto Firmino entered the pitch to a cheer bigger than that reserved for Neymar’s entrance and added the late goal to seal the win as the Kop sung his name.
