Brazilian midfielder Oscar celebrates with a heart gesture after he <a >scored a goal</a> to give his team a 3-1 win over Croatia in the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday, June 12. It was the first day of the international soccer tournament, which is being held in 12 cities across Brazil.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Brazilian midfielder Oscar celebrates with a heart gesture after he scored a goal to give his team a 3-1 win over Croatia in the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday, June 12. It was the first day of the international soccer tournament, which is being held in 12 cities across Brazil.
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Brazil forward Neymar strikes the ball to <a >score a penalty</a> and give his team a 2-1 lead in the second half against Croatia.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Brazil forward Neymar strikes the ball to score a penalty and give his team a 2-1 lead in the second half against Croatia.
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Neymar celebrates. He had two goals in the game, which was played in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Neymar celebrates. He had two goals in the game, which was played in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Croatian fans look despondent as they watch the opening match in Zagreb, Croatia.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Croatian fans look despondent as they watch the opening match in Zagreb, Croatia.
Stringe/AFP/Getty Images
Fans watching the game in Fortaleza, Brazil, celebrate after a Brazil goal.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Fans watching the game in Fortaleza, Brazil, celebrate after a Brazil goal.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Oscar is tripped up by Croatia's Sime Vrsaljko during the second half.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Oscar is tripped up by Croatia's Sime Vrsaljko during the second half.
Adam Pretty/Getty Images
Brazilian defender Marcelo takes a fall.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Brazilian defender Marcelo takes a fall.
FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images
Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa dives but fails to stop the ball as Neymar <a >scores a first-half goal</a> to tie the game at 1-1.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa dives but fails to stop the ball as Neymar scores a first-half goal to tie the game at 1-1.
Elsa/Getty Images
Neymar, right, celebrates his first-half goal with teammates Marcelo, left, and Hulk.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Neymar, right, celebrates his first-half goal with teammates Marcelo, left, and Hulk.
Shuji Kajiyama/AP
Marcelo, right, accidentally deflects the ball past his own goalkeeper, Julio Cesar. It was the <a >first goal of the match</a> and put the hosts in an early hole. <a >See all the goals from the World Cup</a>
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Marcelo, right, accidentally deflects the ball past his own goalkeeper, Julio Cesar. It was the first goal of the match and put the hosts in an early hole. See all the goals from the World Cup
Elsa/Getty Images
Croatia's Nikica Jelavic, right, celebrates the opening goal with teammate Ivica Olic.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Croatia's Nikica Jelavic, right, celebrates the opening goal with teammate Ivica Olic.
Stuart Franklin/FIFA via Getty Images
Pletikosa celebrates the own goal on the other side of the field.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Pletikosa celebrates the own goal on the other side of the field.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Croatia's Vedran Corluka, left, clashes with Hulk during the first half.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Croatia's Vedran Corluka, left, clashes with Hulk during the first half.
Felipe Dana/AP
Neymar lies on the field during the first half.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Neymar lies on the field during the first half.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Croatia's Mateo Kovacic, left, is challenged by Oscar.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Croatia's Mateo Kovacic, left, is challenged by Oscar.
Dennis Grombkowski/FIFA via Getty Imaes
Marcelo falls after a challenge by Croatia's Ivan Perisic.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Marcelo falls after a challenge by Croatia's Ivan Perisic.
Elsa/Getty Images
Brazil and Croatia players stand around the center circle as doves are released before the beginning of the match.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Brazil and Croatia players stand around the center circle as doves are released before the beginning of the match.
Kevin Cox/Getty Images
A dove flies through the stadium.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
A dove flies through the stadium.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Croatia fans cheer their team prior to the start of the match.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Croatia fans cheer their team prior to the start of the match.
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Singer Jennifer Lopez performs during the tournament's opening ceremony, which was held in Sao Paulo prior to the Brazil-Croatia match.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Singer Jennifer Lopez performs during the tournament's opening ceremony, which was held in Sao Paulo prior to the Brazil-Croatia match.
Felipe Dana/AP
A happiness flag is seen in the Sao Paulo stadium during the opening ceremony.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
A happiness flag is seen in the Sao Paulo stadium during the opening ceremony.
Elsa/Getty Images
A performer is carried in a boat during the opening ceremony.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
A performer is carried in a boat during the opening ceremony.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
A fan holds up a sign prior to the opening ceremony.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
A fan holds up a sign prior to the opening ceremony.
Christopher Lee/Getty Images
Brazil fans kiss before the opening soccer match.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Brazil fans kiss before the opening soccer match.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
A Brazil fan smiles in Sao Paulo.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
A Brazil fan smiles in Sao Paulo.
Warren Little/Getty Images
This is the second time Brazil is hosting the World Cup. It also hosted the World Cup in 1950.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
This is the second time Brazil is hosting the World Cup. It also hosted the World Cup in 1950.
Christopher Lee/Getty Images
A Brazil fan uses a cell phone before the opening ceremony.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
A Brazil fan uses a cell phone before the opening ceremony.
Adam Pretty/Getty Images
The Brazilian flag is seen at the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
The Brazilian flag is seen at the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Construction workers put the finishing touches on banners outside of a stadium in Brasilia, Brazil.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Construction workers put the finishing touches on banners outside of a stadium in Brasilia, Brazil.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Women attach paper messages on a tree in Seoul, South Korea. The messages wish the national team success in the World Cup.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Women attach paper messages on a tree in Seoul, South Korea. The messages wish the national team success in the World Cup.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Traditional Brazilian dancers celebrate the opening of the World Cup in Trafalgar Square in London.
World Cup: The best photos from June 12 —
Traditional Brazilian dancers celebrate the opening of the World Cup in Trafalgar Square in London.
Bethany Clarke/Getty Images