Rough start

Dubious doesn't even begin to describe the absolute rubbish this decision was. Simply atrocious, and ever so harsh on Croatia.

There were a lot of incidents the referee got wrong. The penalty decision was the worst of them all. Just seeing it again I cannot believe it was given. The penalty was poor, the goalkeeper got two hands to it. The goalkeeper really should have a look in the mirror at himself. Poor start by Brazil, how many touches did Fred get? 5? Croatia really opened Brazil up down the wings, they'll need to do a LOT better than that against Germany, Argentina et al UNLESS they get THAT Ref again!

What a shame. A more experienced Ref would have seen the dive and given Fred a yellow card. 20 mins before the end with 1:1 this was the decisive moment of the game. The game was not won by Brazil but by Nishimura for Brazil.

But if a defender puts his hand on an attackers shoulder and he goes down then I can't see what other decision the ref could have given....?

But that happens EVERY time the ball is crossed into the penalty area. What this decision does is encourage attackers to throw themselves to the ground, especially Brazillian ones. I think the message has been sent that if you play Brazil in this tournament you play 11 vs 12.

Not the best of performances by the referee. Lets hope he gets another chance to prove hes better than this.

A picture is worth 1000 words, isn't it? They certainly are not telling him, "I love your officiating!"

The PK was a joke.If you were playing and that was given against you , you would go mental..Croatiawere robbed.Typical japanese in a uniform!!

Brazil will get generous decisions throughout, because the place is on a knife-edge with the protests. Hosts often do get more decisions but in this case there's more pressure on the refs since probably the 1978 world cup.

The penalty apart I thought the Croat keeper was poor in not getting down and stopping Neymar's scuffed shot for the first goal and after getting his hands to the penalty should have done better.

On the other side of the coin refs have to stop treating keepers like protected species. The challenge for the ball (which he got) on the Brazil keeper was perfectly fine and a goal should have been allowed. Just as forwards fall over in the penalty box if they feel contact so do keepers.

The ref should get a red card. If ever a sport needed instant replay....

This is why we need video ref challenges in football. 1 challenge allowed per team per half I reckon.

The Croatia players protested a controversial call by the Japanese referee. But I have no idea that desicion let each team five effects to the game.

PK was questionable but I thought he did well for the rest of the match. Let's be honest, Brazil is much like Italy with the falling and drama.

@through I agree with you. Talk poppy syndrome?

But I have no idea that desicion let each team five effects to the game.

I have no idea what you are saying, can you clarify that?

Let's be honest, Brazil is much like Italy with the falling and drama.

Not sure why people always have to bring Italy into things. Does it have something to do with jealousy of their 4 world cup titles, the last of which was won despite a blatant dive and resulting PK scored by France?

Yep, bad decision. But Croatia aren't saints on a football pitch, so they don't make it easy for a ref.

But that's football and the nature of the sport. Nishimura shouldn't be hung drawn a quartered for it.

Perhaps because they are the most well known for their love of tripping over their feet, grabbing their leg and rolling all over the place? They invented the the fake penalities and drama.

Now Japan has a real bitter enemy in the world stage: Croatia. Forget China and neighboors, LOL.

But if a defender puts his hand on an attackers shoulder and he goes down then I can't see what other decision the ref could have given....?

Referee Yuichi Nishimura of Japan gave the best decision during the 2014 World Cup opening match at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo.