World Cup 2014 11am Bulletin: Neymar naysayers nullified

Neymar has scored 33 goals in 50 appearances for Brazil

His all-round display wasn't spectacular, but Neymar proved his goalscoring pedigree against Croatia...

Neymar's Brazil record of 31 goals in 49 caps was questioned before the World Cup, the suggestion being that 23 of the strikes arriving in friendlies undermined it. By lifting his tally to 33 in 50 with the whole world watching and teammates struggling, he will have forced many critics to reassess.

It wasn't even his finest showing, but he fired Brazil's equaliser - which this writer is adamant was expertly-placed rather than scuffed as most appear to believe - then tucked away a penalty more fortuitously to put them in front, delivering while Hulk and Fred were fairly quiet alongside him.

The 22-year-old sensation is 4.94/1 to maximise the head-start that his double in the curtain-raising 3-1 victory over Croatia affords him by finishing the tournament as top scorer, having once been available at 17.0.

It is still an attractive price when you consider that the first brace-bagger of the past two World Cups (Diego Forlan in 2010 and Miroslav Klose in 2006) went on to earn at least a share of the top-scorer plaudits, as did the first two-goal haul merchant at Euro 2012, Alan Dzagoev.

No player netted more than once in the first set of cagey group games in South Africa, hinting that Neymar could still wield an outright advantage before Brazil kick off their next Group A tie against Mexico on Tuesday.

Brazil and Croatia did plenty to get any fans bummed out by how dull 2010 started hyped for this edition with a captivating opening contest. There are three clashes to keep the momentum going on Friday: Mexico v Cameroon at 17:00, Spain v Netherlands at 20:00 and Chile v Australia at 23:00.

As ever, Betting.Betfair have the key angles covered. Lewis Jones is convinced that Mexico will seize an early three-point lead over Cameroon and Croatia in Group A. Tactics whiz Michael Cox has an intriguing first goalscorer stance for Spain v Netherlands, while Tobias Gourlay fancies Chile v Australia to rival the opener as the best match yet.

Plenty of BBC and ITV's pre- and post-match coverage of those fixtures will be devoted to discussing England's collision with Italy on Saturday, and the Azzurri have been dealt a severe blow with Mattia De Sciglio being ruled out.

It is the worst thing that could have happened to them besides an Andrea Pirlo injury, as there were already no natural left-sided full backs in the squad. Their alternatives now are to use right back Matteo Darmian there or centre back Giorgio Chiellini, which didn't work well in the Euro 2012 final.

England have snuck in slightly to 3.02/1 to pick up the "W" as a result. The other side-effect is that it is sure to increase the volume of calls for Raheem Sterling to be granted a start on the right wing.

There is also fresh concern in Portugal over Cristiano Ronaldo's fitness after he left training early on Thursday sporting an ice pack. The Ballon d'Or winner is 1.645/8 to be Portugal's top World Cup scorer, and they are 4.03/1 to get a quick three points on the board in Group G against Germany on Monday.

Recommended Bet: Back Neymar to be World Cup top goalscorer @ 4.94/1