Croatia now await the winner of Argentina and the Netherlands
Al Rayyan, Qatar: Neymar’s record goal went in vain as Croatia knocked Brazil out of the World Cup in a penalty shootout on Saturday, following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, a special India Today report says
Croatia made it past their second consecutive shootout after beating Japan also on penalties, in the last 16 and will now face either the Netherlands or Argentina, who play each other later.
Brazil superstar Neymar scored a magical goal and almost assured his team a place in the semi-final. Croatia substitute Bruno Petkovic’s left-footed equaliser three minutes from the end of extra time drew his side level, breaking Brazilian hearts in Doha’s Education City Stadium.
Rodrygo missed Brazil’s opening penalty try and Marquinhos hit the post on the team’s fourth attempt, while Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Luka Modric and Mislav Orsic each converted for Croatia.
The Croats kept their composure from the penalty spot as Brazil’s Marquinhos and Rodrygo failed to convert.
During a tense first half, there was nothing separating the Brazilians and their 2018 runner-up opponents, with both sides enjoying half chances in a free-flowing game, with neither side able to break through the goalless stalemate Afterr the break, Brazil seemed all fired up with a renewed burst of energy. that had been lacking in the first half, creating several scoring chances, three of which came from Neymar.
However, they were unable to beat Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who made several crucial saves.
The match at Education City Stadium was Croatia’s fourth draw in five matches in Qatar. The team coached by Zlatko Dalic hasn’t been the most thrilling squad at this year’s tournament, but his players produce some drama.
Brazil were eyeing their first semi-final since 2014 as they hadn’t made it to the last four since hosting the tournament eight years ago, when the Selecao was embarrassed by Germany 7-1.
Brazil was trying to defeat a European opponent in the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since the 2002 final against Germany, when the team won for the last time.
Neymar, who tied Pele’s record as his country’s leading scorer with 77 goals, couldn’t hold back the tears at the end. Rodrygo, Modric’s teammate at Real Madrid, was inconsolable, too.
Croatia now await the winner of Argentina and the Netherlands who clash later on Friday. Reuters
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