DOHA: Croatia sensationally edged out Brazil 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out to storm into the semifinals of the Fifa Qatar 2022 World Cup at the Education City Stadium in Doha on Friday.
After a goalless regulation period, both the goals were scored in the extra-time to make it 1-1.
Brazil’s first shot by Rodrygo was saved by Croatian keeper Dominic Livakovic. Next two penalties were on target through Casemiro and Pedro while Marquinhos hit the side post.
Croatia made no mistake from their four penalties with Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, captain Luka Modric and Mislav Orsic all hitting the target.
Earlier, superstar Neymar netted in the additional minute of the extra-time first-half with a scintillating dribbling attempt as Brazil went 1-0 up.
Croatia didn’t lose heart as they pulled level after a brilliant move by the substitute players. Mislav Orsic gave a nice cross to Bruno Petkovic who unfurled a strong shot past a helpless Brazil keeper Alisson Becker.
After breaking into the Croatian penalty box, Neymar dribbled past a couple of Croatian defenders and goalkeeper to smash a firm strike into the inside roof of the net.
Brazil started slowly in the crunch match against Croatia cheered by the vociferous yellow shirt fans.
In the 10th minute, Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic made a sharp cross which went begging through the penalty box in front of goalkeeper Alison.
Croatia also had the first corner of the match.
In the 20th minute, Neymar made a run into the Croatian penalty box and unleashed a shot but straight to Croatian keeper Dominic Livakovic.
Brazil defender Danilo got the first yellow card of the match when he brought down a Croatian forward near the left hand side of their penalty box.
Croatian Marcelo Brozovic received a yellow when he fouled Brazil star Neymar in the 30th minute.
Croatia made a good attempt in the next minute but Brazil’s Liverpool goalkeeper Alison came up front to falter the attempt.
Goal possession was equal with 45 per cent each for both teams showing the intensity of the close contest in the first half.
Vinicius Junior was brought down in the 40th minute for a free kick on the edge of Croatia box. Neymar’s freekick went in between the Croatian wall touching a player’s shoulder to the safe hands of Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic.
Before the half-time, Brazil’s Vinicius-Neymar combo and Luka Modric made some efforts to break the deadlock but in vain.
In the first-half, Brazil made three attempts on goal while Croatia made two attempts which were off-target. Both the teams played with 4-1-2-3 formations in front of a capacity crowd of 43, 893 dominated by Brazil fans.
CLOSE ATTEMPTS
During the start of the second-half, Brazil came close to goal twice with Neymar, Richarlison and Vinicius all tried to hit shots past an agile Croatian defence which did not offer any space to them.
A penalty appeal was rejected by VAR check after the ball landed on a Croatian defender’s hand.
In the 51st minute, Croatia earned a corner but couldn’t make any impact with it.
Neymar’s solo attempt in the 55th minute was warded off by an advancing Livakovic.
In the next minute, Brazil made a move but Richarlison’s measured cross was cleared by the Croatian defender.
Brazil coach Tite brought in forward Antony instead of Raphinha. Later, Vinicius was replaced with Rodyrgo.
Neymar earned a free-kick outside the Croatian box in the 66th minute.
In the follow-up move, Brazil darted into the Croatian box through midfielder Lucas Pacqueta but keeper Livakovic came to the rescue of Croatia with another one-handed reflex save.
Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic made twin changes in the 72nd minute. Forward Bruno Petkovic and Nikola Vlasic were brought in at the expense of forward Andrej Kramaric and midfielder Mario Pasalic.
Brazil missed their best chance in the 76th minute.
Neymar’s nice through pass was well-received by Richarlison who sent Neymar through but the shot was deflected out by Croatia keeper Livakovic for a corner.
Brazil’s Marquinhos received a yellow in the next minute after bringing down Croatia’s Modric.
Brazil midfielder Lovro Majer then shot straight at the Croatian keeper.
Brazil substituted Richarlison with Pedro in the 84th minute. Brazil earned a corner next after a series of valid attempts to break into Croatian defence. Another corner was taken by Neymar at the stroke of 90 minutes but without success.
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