What's wrong with that? Ante Rebic is penalised for a good old fashioned shoulder charge on Marcelo. Is that really a free-kick?

Referee Michael Oliver is keeping busy. This time he books Fernandinho for a high boot on Croatia's Atletico Madrid right-back Sime Vrsaljko.

Ivan Perisic goes into the book for a rather crude hack at Gabriel Jesus.

Image source, Get

Now Willian comes to the party. Domagoj Vida struggles to contain the Chelsea winger in the left-back position but Danijel Subasic beats his cross shot away.

At last something to shout about. Gabriel Jesus has his initial shot blocked and the follow-up trickles towards the Croatia goal before being hacked clear.

Croatia are starting to grow into this. They look very handy particularly when Luka Modric gets hold of the ball.

The Real Madrid midfielder sets Ante Rebic away down the left with a wonderful pass but his cut-back is just out of kilter with Ivan Perisic, who can't get his shot away.

Image source, Getty Images

Aleksander: 25 mins gone and no Marcelo own goal so far. Promising for Brazil

Salami: Brazil containing Croatia in such a classy way

Liam: Do Croatia not realise this is a friendly? Unnecessarily leaving their mark on Brazil here for no reason.

I'm not sure if Philippe Coutinho has forgotten his shooting boots or just the dimensions of this Anfield pitch? He lets another effort from distance go but it's high, wide and handsome.

That would have been better suited to the Rugby League Challenge Cup.

Image source, Reuters

Willian will know about that. Croatia's Milan Badelj scythes the Chelsea man down.

From the free-kick the ball is worked to Philippe Coutinho who lets fly from 25-yards. It's a rising shot though that doesn't test the keeper.

Brazil really haven't got to grips with these short goal-kicks. This time they're guilty of overplaying and Andrej Kramaric almost takes advantage but Alisson saves his daisy-cutter.

Image source, Getty Images

Brazil take a short goal-kick and Andrej Kramaric slides in on Thiago Silva. Ouch that looked like a painful one.

So so close to the opening goal from a rather unlikely source - Croatia's Dejan Lovren. Who heads just wide from a corner. That looked like it was in.

That counter involves Willian and Danilo racing forward like the Red Arrows, but there's no end product when the Manchester City full-back gets behind the Croatia defence.

Here come Croatia. Lively opening.

Image source, Reuters

Chance for Croatia to load one into the Brazil penalty area via a Luka Modric free-kick but Danilo heads it away and Brazil launch a counter.

Robbie: Firmino not starting. Tbf, I think Jesus fits in more with Brazil's style of play as a striker but no doubt Bobby could have been deployed as a central attacking midfielder or playing just off the striker

Kofi: Operation kidnap Allison after Brazil v Croatia game.

The sun is shining, the pitch is pristine.

And the yellow shirts and blue shorts of Brazil already look at home. It feels like the World Cup is already here.

As it is this is both nations' first warm-up game before the real thing gets going.

Image source, Reuters

I'm already excited and that's just by looking at the kits as we get underway.

The teams are out and it's national anthem time.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Does anyone remember what happened to Brazil in their home World Cup of 2014?

It was all going so well until they faced Germany in the semi-finals and were thrashed 7-1.

Well since then they've been on a journey of evolution according to Tim Vickery.

And our South American football expert has put together a rather nice piece on how the former Corinthians boss, Tite, has revitalised the Brazilian national team since taking charge in 2016.

Read more here.

After today all the major runners and riders will have played a friendly ahead of the World Cup. But which squads look the strongest going to Russia?

And how pivotal is Neymar to this Brazil side? Don't be shy, let us know what you think.