Qatar 2022: Shock Defeat Against Croatia Sends Brazil Home

Qatar 2022 fancies Brazil are eliminated from the World Cup.
A magnificent Croatia achieved a huge feat by taking out Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. The finalists of the 2018 edition won 4-2 on penalties after 1-1 in Extra time to knock the favorites off the road to Al Lusail stadium, where the final will be played.

The five-time champions who have dominated the game for a long time came up against goalkeeper Livakovic, who made Brazil’s wait for a 6th star longer.

The South Americans opened the scores through Neymar after a superb action in the 105th minute.

Croatia however equalized through Petkovic at the 117th minute with their first shot on target of the game.

In the penalty shootout, Rodrygo (Livakovic save) and Marquinhos (post) failed as Croatia’s four spot kicks were scored.

Modric and his teammates, who defended admirably, once again demonstrated enormous mental, physical and tactical strength.

Croatia will face Argentina, winners of Friday’s other quarter finals in semi-finals next week.

After an intense first half but with no real scoring chance, Brazil picked up the pace after the break.

The Auriverdes made loads of goalmoutth opportunities, but Livakovic was stern, especially in front of Neymar at the 47th, 55th and 76th minutes, keeping out Paqueta at the 66th and 86th minutes as well.

So inevitably, when Neymar broke the Croatian lock after a double one-two with Rodrygo then Paqueta, everything seemed to be done.

The Croats, never looked downcast, and found a way to come back on an action of two substitutes, Orsic serving Petkovic.

This still unexpected equalizer visibly hurt the minds of the Brazilians, and at the same time pumped up those of their opponents.

Brazil’s frustration was felt in the penalty shootout, that admirably controlled by the Croats with successes from Vlasic, Majer, Modric and Orsic.

The South American’s will therefore wait to put a sixth star on their shirt. Their last triumph now dates back 20 years ago.