Croatia, runner-up pf FIFA World Cup 2018, booked their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 with a victory over Brazil.
Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic was once again the star performer as he saved the first penalty by Brazil. Brazil missed another one, while Croatia scored all four penalties as they won the penalty shoot-out 4-2.
Brazil which was one of the favourites to lift the World Cup bows out in the quarterfinal stage for the fourth time in the last five tournaments.
The match between Croatia and Brazil was in a goalless deadlock at regulation time of 90 minutes.
The first half was played with Croatia almost matching Brazil in terms of pace, pressing for ball and possession as Croatia prevented Brazil from taking the lead.
In the second half, play was more concentrated in the Croatian half, who seemed contented with sitting deeper and letting Brazil come on to them. Even in counter attacks, Croatia did not commit many players in the second half.
With a history of favourable results in extra time and penalties, Croatia seemed to be holding on as long as possible and waiting for a right time to strike.
It was in the first half of extra time that Neymar produced one of the best goals of Fifa World Cup 2022 as Brazil went ahead.
Sensational 🇧🇷#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/98HCY0Txn9
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Neymar played a 1-2 with Rodrygo and then another 1-2 with Pedro to go past five defenders and then finally beat the goalkeeper Livakovic and shot to the roof of the net to break the deadlock.
Neymar scored his eight World Cup career goal and also equalled Pele’s national record of 77 goals for Brazil.
In the second half of extra time, Croatia tried in vain to score the equaliser. But they were yet to find a shot on target the whole of the match, let alone score.
BRUNO PETKOVIĆ TIES IT IN THE 117TH MINUTE 😱 pic.twitter.com/fj6wottVzc
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Croatian forward Orsic, who came in as a substitute had an instant impact as he sent in a low pass from the left flank which was struck by substitute Petkovic for the equaliser.
Petkovic’s shot got a big deflection off Brazil defender Marquinhos and went to the right of Brazil keeper Alisson, beyond his reach as Croatia found the equaliser with only two minutes to go.
Croatia, which could not have a single shot on target, as against 11 shots by Brazil, scored with their first shot on target.
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The match, tied at 1-1 after 120 minutes went to the penalties, the second consecutive one for Croatia in this World Cup.
Vlasic was the first to take the kick from the spot and sent a powerful down the middle; while Rodrygo’s shot to the left was saved by Croatia’s keeper Livakovic as Croatia took a 1-0 lead.
Majer scored Croatia’s second as his powerful shot was sent down the middle. Casemiro scored with his shot to the right, beating the keeper by pace.
BUILD DOMINIK LIVAKOVIC A STATUE IN CROATIA 🇭🇷
No keeper has made more saves than him at the World Cup 🧤 pic.twitter.com/INzKxq00cd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 9, 2022
Modric scored his penalty by sending Brazil keeper Alisson the wrong way; while Pedro also scored.
Croatia led 3-2 with two shots each to go.
Orsic, who had made the critical assist for Croatia’s equalising goal took Croatia’s fourth shot and sent a powerful shot to the right corner which Alisson could not reach. Brazil had to score to stay in the match. However, Brazil’s Marquinhos hit the post even as the keeper dived the wrong way as Croatia took and unassailable lead of 4-2 to win the match on penalties.
Croatia reached semi-finals and will paly against the winner of the Argentina-Netherlands match.
