Brazil midfield wizard is up there with Neymar

Sao Paulo, Brazil: Was that a hopeful punt by Oscar for Brazil’s third goal? Stipe Pletikosa’s mistake? Or it was an Oscars award-winning goal?

The crowd inside Arena De Sao Paolo seemed to have been expecting Oscar’s goal. From the moment the ball broke lose to him, the Chelsea youngster set off with singular mind towards Croatia’s goal and as if with eyes on his boot struck with the outside of his right foot.

Conventional knowledge dictates he should have taken a shot with his left foot to give it venom from outside the 18-yard box.

A precisely placed, drilled finish made Pletikosa look like an amateur goalkeeper.

But that is Oscar for you.

Remarkably talented with dribbling and passing ability. Brazilian media have been talking about his battle with Willian for the same starting role in midfield.

But Thursday’s performance, for he had a hand in all the three goals, must now put that debate to bed.

Ahead of their 3-1 win over Croatia, Oscar told reporters when asked about his battle with Willian that: “The contest with Willian is among you, the press."

His finish for Brazil’s third goal just about settles it.

Another of Sao Paolo’s products, Oscar enjoys almost cult following here in Brazil.

Wily, engaging and bearing an unflinching appetite to have the ball under his feet, Oscar could yet turn out to be dark horse for the golden boot if Neymar’s temperament haunts his seemingly gold plated path to stardom at this World Cup.

Suggestions that Oscar is in the rank of Willian and not even Neymar borders on lack of respect for the 22-year-old midfielder.

With double figures in the English Premier League in the just concluded season and now a goal on the opening day of the 2014 World Cup, Oscar may be the man to make or break Neymar’s coronation, if not himself named king of samba.