ose electrifying returns helped Hamilton advance to the Gre

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 Dave Schultz Flyers Jersey . Nick Young scored 17 points for Los Angeles, which lost five of its last seven before trouncing the Pelicans, who beat them handily last week in New Orleans. Jodie Meeks and Xavier Henry scored 15 points apiece for the Lakers, who led by 20 points in the first half before coasting to their 12th win in their last 13 regular-season meetings with New Orleans. Shayne Gostisbehere Jersey . -- The Chicago Bears say they have agreed to a one-year contract with centre Roberto Garza. http://www.flyersteamstoreonline.com/authentic-brian-elliott-flyers-jersey/ . However, Therrien added that Galchenyuks status for next Wednesdays game against the Detroit Red Wings is questionable. Galchenyuk has been out since Jan. 6 with a broken right hand. Bill Barber Flyers Jersey . - Alex Dostie scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the Gatineau Olympiques to a 5-3 victory over the Drummondville Voltigeurs in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action on Sunday. Jakub Voracek Jersey . Its Wu-Tang and Outkast in the final. Now, we all know youve played the role of Andre 3000 in the past, does that mean Outkast is getting your vote?AJ: You know it, you know it.TORONTO - The post-season accolades continue to roll in for Solomon Elimimian.The B.C. Lions linebacker was named to the 2014 CFL all-star team Thursday. The move was hardly a surprise, as Elimimian took home the CFLs most outstanding player and top defensive player awards last month.Elimimian, the first pure defensive player to win the CFLs top individual honour, had a huge 2014 season with 143 defensive tackles and 151 total tackles, both league records, and added five sacks.Its the second career all-star nod for Elimimian.The Edmonton Eskimos had the most nominations to the all-star team with seven.Running back John White, receiver Adarius Bowman and guard Simeon Rottier were called to represent the Eskimos on the offensive side, while defensive linemen Almondo Sewell and Odell Willis, linebacker Dexter McCoil and cornerback Patrick Watkins were named from Edmontons defence.The 2014 Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders had five players named to the team, led by star Canadian running back Jon Cornish.Cornish led the league in rushing despite only playing half of the regular season.Centre Brett Jones,, offensive tackle Stanley Bryant and defensive backs Brandon Smith and Jamar Wall were Calgarys other representatives.ddddddddddddBrandon Banks, whose electrifying returns helped Hamilton advance to the Grey Cup final, was named as the special teams player.Hamilton also sent defensive tackle Ted Laurent and cornerback Delvin Breaux to the all-star team.Torontos Ricky Ray, the East Divisions nomination for most outstanding player, was named the teams quarterback. He was joined by Argos slotback Chad Owens, named an all-star for the fourth time in his career, and Swayze Waters, selected as the teams kicker and punter.The Lions had one other nomination to the team, four-time all-star offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye.Offensive guard Brendon LaBatte, defensive end John Chick and safety Tyron Brackenridge were the Saskatchewan Roughriders who made the grade.The Montreal Alouettes were represented by receiver Duron Carter and linebacker Bear Woods.The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were represented by receiver Clarence Denmark. The expansion Ottawa Redblacks did not have a player selected to the team. ' ' '