Hosts' victorious opening night at 2014 World Cup is tarnished by Fred's dive to earn penalty

Penalty: The grounded Fred appeals after a challenge by Dejan Lovren Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Paul Hayward, Chief Sports Writer, Sao Paulo

12:18AM BST 13 Jun 2014

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After all the acrimony and scandal, the last thing this World Cup needed was for a referee to reward a dive in the penalty box by the host nation’s centre-forward, thus tarnishing a night that should have belonged to Neymar, the elected world beater of this Brazil team.

Not long after elbowing Croatia’s Ivica Olic in the face, Neymar decided that his feet needed to do the next bit. The dragged shot that brought the hosts level in this dramatic World Cup opening match was a catharsis for the star and his nation. His disputed penalty, after Fred had dropped like a bag of lead under a feather challenge, was less worthy of celebration. This tournament is ingenuous in finding new ways to alienate its audience