WORLD cup favourites Brazil are in action against Croatia, but have struggled in the first-half as the score remains level going into the second-half.
The second period has got off to a fine start, with Brazil applying the pressure.
Josko Gvardiol tipped a cross towards his own goalkeeper, who had to react brilliantly to save with his feet and prevent an own goal.
Just seconds later, Vinicius Jr was denied by Dominik Livakovic as he looked set to score the opener.
- Start time: 3pm GMT
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- TV channel: BBC One
- Croatia XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Brozovic, Kovacic, Modric, Perisic, Pasalic, Kramaric
- Brazil XI: Alisson, Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Danilo, Casemiro, Paqueta, Raphinha, Vinicius, Neymar, Richarlison
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
48, No penalty and Juranovic can breathe a sigh of relief.
He went to ground after Neymar unleashed a shot in the area, but he could do nothing about it.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
47, Massive chance for Brazil!
There has been more goal-mouth action in this half than the whole of the last already.
VAR are checking for a handball and penalty against Croatia in the area.
SECOND HALF – Croatia 0-0 Brazil
Brazil leave Croatia waiting before trudging on to the pitch.
We are back underway now, and there are no changes to report for either side.
Half time stats
It’s all in the balance at the break.
Croatia have failed to hit the target, but kept the Brazilians at bay.
It is ALL to play for in the second half!
Mark Irwin at the Education City Stadium
SunSport’s Mark Irwin has this half-time report from the stands:
NOT exactly the football fiesta we were promised so far as sluggish Brazil have struggled to get out of first gear.
Neither keeper has been seriously tested during a cagey first 45 minutes and Croatia have looked more than comfortable keeping the crowd favourites at bay.
Neymar has been particularly disappointing, constantly giving the ball away with needless flicks and tricks and not exactly busting a gut to regain possession.
Danilo was slightly fortunate to get away with a yellow card from ref Michael Oliver when he took out Josip Juranovic with a head high challenge.
Other than that, there’s not been a great deal to get excited about but on the bright side, the second-half can only get better.
Mark Irwin
HALF TIME – Croatia 0-0 Brazil
One minute of added time comes to an end with the game perfectly poised at the break.
It’s not been the most exciting of halves, but you sense the game will come to life in the second half.
Vinicius had Brazil’s best chance, but neither goalkeeper have been seriously tested so far.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
43, Thiago Silva remarkably keeps the ball from rolling out for a for a corner, passing it to safety under pressure from Perisic.
There’s no clear way through for either side as we approach half time, but you sense Croatia will be the happier of the two sides.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
42, Neymar went for a goal with the angle against him.
A nick off the wall took it it into the grateful arms of Livakovic.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
40, Brazil continue to probe and Vinicius gets in between defenders before being clattered to the floor by the already booked Brozovic.
Free-kick on the edge of the area… Neymar is behind it.
Credit: Getty
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
36, Richarlison can’t get past Lovren who has formed a neat partnership with Gvardiol in the heart of the Croatian defence.
The chequered shirts continue to pile forward, this time led by Brozovic, but he can’t test Alisson in goal.
Danilo is booked for a high foot on JuranovicCredit: AFP Croatia 0-0 Brazil
35, Croatia win it back and the jeers ring out from the local fans who want to see Brazil on the ball.
Credit to Croatia who are keeping the samba boys at bay with 10 minutes of the half to go.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
33, Juranovic switches the ball towards Perisic through the corridor of uncertainty.
Alisson is forced into an unorthodox palm clear and Brazil escape.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
31, Brozovic is next to go into the book after a nibble at the heels of Neymar.
Brazil will no doubt target the Croatia midfielder now.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
29, But to no avail.
Croatia break with purpose and Perisic cuts inside before blazing a ball over the bar.
A shot is a shot, but that was never troubling Alisson in goal.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
28, Brozovic plays a pass into trouble and Neymar is hacked to the turf.
Neymar clips a ball to Militao who can’t connect with it on the volley.
But Bazil come again…
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
25, Juranovic gets in behind Danilo who raises his foot and Michael Oliver promptly reaches for a yellow card.
Dangerous play from the full-back who might count himself lucky to not be shown red.
Modric will take the free-kick from the right hand side, and Thiago Silva nods it clear.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
23, Casemiro’s shot is deflected wide after a fast paced Brazil counter.
They are coming alive and Croatia must stay alert.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
20, Brazil turning on the style now.
Vinicius drags Juranovic one way then the other before playing a one-two with Richarlison.
He hits it, but Gvardiol gets a crucial block in. Neymar then attempts to go on his own, but his curling effort is straight at Livakovic.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
17, A first taste of Neymar as he glides past Pasalic, inciting the crowd.
But his ball in-field doesn’t reach Casemiro and Croatia escape.
Credit: Reuters Croatia 0-0 Brazil
15, Modric picks Casemiro’s pocket on the edge of the area and floats a ball into Perisic.
Militao manages to head clear, but Brazil are under the cosh here.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
12, What a chance for Croatia!
Juranovic drives forward from right-back and finds Pasalic who drills a ball across the six-yard box.
It evades Perisic and falls to Juranovic who had continued his run. But he lashes at it, and Thiago Silva got his body in the way.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
10, Brazil finding their samba rhythm.
Vinicius finds himself in acres of space but delays the shot, running into trouble.
Casemiro quickly wins it back and finds Raphinha who can’t quite keep it in play on the by-line.
Vinicius really needed to shoot there.
Credit: AP Croatia 0-0 Brazil
6, Croatia are knocking the ball around with confidence, sizing up an opportunity.
An early sign that the European side will not just sit back and defend, but go after a goal.
Modric is penalised for a high foot on RicharlisonCredit: EPA Croatia 0-0 Brazil
4, Vinicius has a shot!
The Brazilian winger has his first shot blocked and tries his luck again from the left-hand side.
It’s on target, but fairly routine for Livakovic in goal.
Croatia 0-0 Brazil
2, There is a typically cagey feel to the game in the opening couple of minutes.
Casemiro is the first to commit, and the first to concede a foul against Kovacic.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
