Croatia beat Brazil on penalties to reach last four

The reigning vice-world champion can have held his rank for a really very long time, earlier than eliminating one of many huge favorites “Croatian type”. After two days and not using a match in Qatar, it was excessive time to make approach for the primary quarter-final of this 2022 World Cup. After having silenced Brazil for 90 minutes and displaying a steely thoughts to take the Seleção on penalties, Croatia with a superb Livaković created a sensation by validating their ticket for the final 4 of the competitors (1-1, 4-2 at TAB). From the beginning of the sport, the Vatreni confirmed their need to make historical past within the coronary heart of the Schooling Metropolis Stadium, they who’ve by no means gained towards the Auriverdes in 6 confrontations now.

Zlatko Dalić’s males posed huge issues for Canarinha all through the sport. Within the first interval, Brazil struggled to be harmful, like these timid makes an attempt by Vinicius Jr (fifth) and Neymar Jr (twenty first, forty second). Regardless of Croatian solidity, particularly with a really dominating midfield Modrić-Kovačić-Brozović towards Tite’s males, and a balanced first 45 minutes, the Whites and Reds didn’t handle to fret Alisson both, other than a small scare within the space of the doorman of Liverpool (thirteenth).

Neymar’s genius was not sufficient

Again from the locker room, Brazil got here near opening the scoring, when, on a cross from Raphinha, Livaković made a reflex save after a deflection from Gvardiol at shut vary (forty seventh). The hero of the penalty shootout towards Japan, within the spherical of 16, then continued to disgust the Brazilians by profitable his duels towards Neymar (54th, 76th) and Paquetá (66th, eightieth). Because the match progressed, Brazil regained management by imposing nice stress on the Croats, who held on till the top of regulation time.

In further time, the fatigue of the organizations was felt in Qatar, as evidenced by these strikes from Brozović (103rd) then Danilo (a hundred and fifth) flying into the stands. Croatia clung to that goalless draw simply earlier than the change. It was with out relying on the genius of Neymar, who, after a double stint with Rodrygo then Paquetá within the space, resisted the return of Modrić earlier than erasing Livaković in a small perimeter and ending within the empty objective (a hundred and fifth + 1). A 77th objective in choice permitting him to hitch a sure Pelé with Brazil … however inadequate to hoist his nation within the semi-finals, as a result of Petković, with success on a ball from Oršić, put the 2 picks equal (1-1, 116th).

Due to his tenth save of the match, Livaković prevented Casemiro from delivering the Seleção to afford one other penalty shootout. A boon for the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper, who as soon as once more performed heroes for Croatia by stopping Rodrygo’s try and seeing that of Marquinhos crashing into his publish. Croatia, which emerged victorious from a penalty shootout for the 4th time in a row within the World Cup, will subsequently discover the Netherlands or Argentina to attempt to afford a brand new world closing and defend slightly extra extra his standing.