AL-RAYYAN, Qatar — They did it again. Croatia, four years after the great final Russia came back in World Cup semi-final after hard Brazil, 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, to remove the tournament favorites. They will have to face either Netherlands or Argentina next week.
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Brazil, and the thousands of yellow jersey fans packed into the Education City Stadium, were stunned. Marquinhos fell to the ground in shock after his decisive penalty hit the left post while Croatia’s goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovicled his teammates in a glorious sprint towards midfield.
It looks like Brazil has the game – after some considerable effort – in hand. NeymarCroatia’s goal at the end of first extra time was decisive, but Croatia were undaunted. Mislav Orsić bring the ball down to the left and cut it back for Bruno Petkovicwho had a left-footed shot that missed and went into the net in the 177th minute.
When Rodrigo With Brazil’s first attempt in the penalty shootout saved by Domink Livakovic, Croatia took control and didn’t give up. Orsic’s fourth penalty was perfectly taken into the left corner; Marquinhos then tried to reproduce it, but it wasn’t accurate enough. Brazil is out. Croatia – again – passed.
JUMP TO: Player Rating | Best/worst performer | Highlights and remarkable moments | Quotes after the game | main statistics | upcoming match schedule
rapid response
first. Livakovic gives his team a chance – and they take it
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic called Brazil’s depth “scary” during preparations for this quarter-final, but then qualified that by saying his team shouldn’t be scared. And why not? They had a game plan they trusted and a goalkeeper in his life form.
After sending Croatia through the penalty shootout to win Japan In the round of 16 with 3 saves, Livakovic was even more impressive here. Dalic has organized his team with an effort to hold the ball and block Brazil’s clearance – which has largely worked – but there will always be gaps. And Livakovic filled almost all of them.
Right, Josip Juranovic and Josko Gvardiol snuffed out many of Brazil’s chances, but Livakovic was the stopping point. He set Croatia’s World Cup record with nine saves, including key saves against Neymar (more than once) and Lucas Paquetaas well as an unbelievable reflex from Gvardiol, who almost sent the ball into his own net shortly after half-time.
Without him, Petkovic’s shot – Croatia’s first attempt at the goal of the game – was completely out of the question. For him, that’s all.
2. Neymar equals Pele’s record – but not enough
When they arrived at the stadium about 90 minutes before the game started, Neymar was the only player to step out of the Brazilian bus and put on sunglasses (he had worn them even once in the stadium) and he she joined, just for a moment, Vinicius Junior while jumping his way into the dressing room. Brazil, for all the pressures that come with being the favorite, tried to have fun at this tournament.
However, this match was successful and Brazil spent most of its time being thwarted. The Croatian defense fell to Neymar, over and over again, Vinicius Jr. Richarlison rarely a factor. After the walk is over south Korea, Brazil attacked sluggishly all night. After 90 minutes, Neymar angrily rakes the grass.
Neymar had his shining moment: Brazil had tried the routine once or twice before without success, but this time it worked perfectly. Few players have managed to get to Livakovic’s side, standing straight and shooting from the corner Neymar had, but the Brazilian superstar made it simple and overtook Pele with 77 international goals, the most. of a Brazilian in history.
Definitely a great honor for Neymar. But one night he will surely want to forget.
3. How far can Modric and Croatia go?
If this ends up being Luka ModricHis last World Cup — and he said it before the tournament — the 37-year-old will leave his sport’s biggest stage after two of his most remarkable runs. of the match.
Third place at the World Cup in Russia has been historic and Croatia’s performance here is hard to measure: a comeback victory over Canada and stuck with Belgium in the group stage to qualify, followed by a resilient and steady performance against Japan, the Cinderella of the tournament, to reach the final round of eight before being knocked out by Brazil on Friday.
It seems like Croatia should be tired – eight of their last nine knockouts at major tournaments required 120 minutes – but somehow they kept rolling. Modric’s engine is still buzzing in the middle of the field, the defense is solid and they always seem to find a way to meet the moment.
They will probably be beaten against the Netherlands or Argentina but… would you choose against them at this point?
Player Rating (1 = worst, 10 = best)
Croatia: Dominik Livakovic 8, Josip Juranovic 8, Dejan Lovren 7, Josko Gvardiol 7, Sinha Sosa 7, Luka Modric 8, Marcelo Brozovic 8, Mateo Kovacic 8, mario pasalic 7, Andrej Kramaric 6, Ivan Perisic 7.
reserve: Nikola Vlasic 6, Bruno Petkovic 7, Major Lovro 6, Ante Budimir 6.
Brazil: Alisson 6, Eder Militao 8, Marquinhos 7, Thiago Silva 7, danilo 7, Lucas Paqueta 7, Casemiro 7, raphinha 6, Neymar 8, Vinicius Junior 6, Richarlison 6.
Prep: Antony 6, Rodrygo 6, Pedro 6, Fred 6, Alex Sandro 6.
Best and worst performers
BEST: Dominik Livakovic
The match against Japan wasn’t the focal point of the shootout, but the Croatian keeper used his legs, arms and whatever else he needed to knock out Brazil for most of the night and keep his team at bay. he continued the game.
WORST: Marquinhos
It’s cruel to tag him with this but when you miss the penalty that sends your team out of the competition, after the defense concedes a goal too late in the game, it’s hard to look elsewhere. A brutal ending.
Highlights and remarkable moments
Neymar took the initiative to attack near the end of the first extra time, and ended a beautiful team play to score the opener.
A MOMENT
With this goal, Neymar equals Pelé’s all-time goalscoring record for Brazil pic.twitter.com/DE8IpsBf5N
– FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2022
However, despite Brazil scoring one of the tournament’s goals in extra time, Croatia’s late scorer sent the game to a penalty shootout, when Marquinhos’ kick hit the post and sent his team’s side. eliminated.
OFF SUBJECTS
CROATIA WINS pic.twitter.com/N6BsJVP2PI
– FOX Football (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2022
After the game: What players and coaches say
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro: “Losing always hurts, especially when you have a goal, a dream and you’ve worked towards it for years. Four years to this point. That’s why it’s real. words are hard to find right now. Now we have to choose we hold our heads up. Life goes on. We’re sad, I’m sure everyone in the group gave their best. We’re sad at the way It happened. It was in our hands and it slipped out of our hands. It was a tough time. But we were calm and we knew that life went on.”
Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)
This is the 26th match with a score of 0-0 after the first half. Only the 1990 World Cup had more 0-0 draws in the first half (28).
Domink Livakovic’s nine saves set a new record for a Croatian goalkeeper at a World Cup. Drazen Ladic made seven saves against the Netherlands in the 1998 third place match. Livakovic was tied with Poland‘S Wojciech Szczesny for the most saves in a match at the 2022 World Cup.
This is Croatia’s fifth World Cup match to go to extra time. In total, 8 of Croatia’s last 9 knockout matches at major tournaments took place in extra time.
Along with equaling Pele’s record of 77 goals, Neymar’s first goal for his country since October 2021 saw him join Ronaldo as the Brazilian men. Only one to have scored more goals in three different FIFA World Cups.
Bruno Petkovic’s 117th-minute equalizer was Croatia’s latest goal at a World Cup and the latest equalizer in World Cup history. It was also Croatia’s first shot on target.
Brazil won 3 of the 4 penalty shootouts in the previous World Cup, only losing first France in 1986.
Croatia won all 4 penalty shootouts at the World Cup, equal to Germany as the team with the most wins without losing a penalty shootout.
Brazil have been eliminated for 5 consecutive matches in the knockout round at the FIFA World Cup against European opponents.
Croatia have reached the semi-finals on all three occasions reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup (1998, 2018, 2022).
Next
Croatia: Now, Modric & Co. will prepare for the important semi-final against Argentina or the Netherlands on Tuesday, December 13 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Brazil: The Selecao home without any international fixtures scheduled for 2023. This is probably fine, as this result will take some time to get through.
