FIFA World Cup 2022: Croatia Beats Brazil 4-2 On Penalties to Reach the World Cup Semis

FIFA World Cup 2022 – Croatia vs Brazil – Following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, Croatia overcame tournament favourites Brazil 4-2 on penalties to go to the FIFA World Cup semifinals.

After defeating Japan on penalties in the round of 16, the runners-up from last year survived their second straight shootout and will now take on either the Netherlands or Argentina, who are scheduled to play later.

FIFA World Cup Croatia vs Brazil 4-2 on penalties – as it happened

FIFA World Cup 2022 Brazilian sensation Neymar felt he had won the match when he rifled home an extra-time goal for the five-time world winners during a tense and dramatic evening.

Three minutes before the conclusion of extra time, Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic scored an equalizer with his left foot, shattering the hearts of the Brazilians in Doha’s Education City Stadium.

The Croats maintained calm as Brazil’s Marquinhos and Rodrygo failed to score from the penalty spot.

In the beginning, Croatia didn’t allow their more prestigious opponents to scare them, and in the first half, they effectively thwarted most of Brazil’s early moves.

Brazil’s offence was limited to a shaky Vinicius Jr. shot because Neymar was slow to react and was shut down by a dedicated backline.

By the first half’s conclusion, Croatia had the advantage in terms of possession because they seemed more alert, adept in their passing game, and had a clear game plan.

The Brazilians struggled to create space as Dominik Livakovic of Croatia seemed unconcerned by a Neymar free kick soon before halftime.

The Brazilians’ previous triumph against a European opponent in the knockout round came in their 2002 victory over Germany.

Three minutes after the break, Josko Gvardiol attempted to clear the ball but almost scored his own goal, giving them a close call.

After a video assistant referee review, accusations of a handball by defender Josip Juranovic were disproved a few seconds later.

Then, in the 55th minute, Richarlison put Neymar through, but Livakovic stopped his close-range attempt.

The Brazilians had a much stronger start to the second half and came near once again in the 66th minute when Livakovic stopped Lucas Paqueta.

The Brazilians have now lost four of their previous five FIFA World Cup quarterfinal matches, all against European opponents.

The Croatian goalkeeper had already made more stops in the game (seven) than his Brazilian rival, Alisson, had made in the whole competition.

Neymar was stopped in the 76th minute (five).

Five minutes later, a second Paqueta shot was parried by Livakovic as the few hundred Brazil supporters in the crowd got restless and louder, forcing the game into overtime with Tite looking anxious.

Neymar, who had been largely ineffective up until that point, launched an attack outside the box in stoppage time of the first period, played two one-two passes in quick succession to confuse the weary Croatian defence, and then rounded the goalkeeper to tie Brazilian legend Pele’s record of 77 international goals.

With Petkovic’s equalizer, the Croats forced penalties and prevailed in the shootout, with Livakovic stopping Rodrygo’s penalty attempt and Marquinos missing the post.

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