Croatia showed great determination and composure as they defeated Brazil 4-2 via penalty shootout in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
The 2018 runners-up came through 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.
In an evening filled with tension and drama, Brazil superstar Neymar thought he had won the game when he rifled in an extra-time goal for the five-time world champions.
Croatia substitute Bruno Petkovic’s left-footed equalizer three minutes from the end of extra time drew his side level, breaking Brazilian hearts in Doha’s Education City Stadium.
The Croats kept their composure from the penalty spot as Brazil’s Marquinhos and Rodrygo failed to convert.
3 Comments
Brazil is out. Argentina are not complaining. They would rather not meet them in the semi final, which would have happened if Brazil won today.
If Morocco can find a way past Portugal, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Africa’s first world cup loading?
If Portugal advance, we might be heading for a Messi vs CR7 collision in the final. That is if the Argies can take out Croatia. Of course, Portugal would have a huge obstacle in either France or England.
The super computer had better go back to the drawing board, and revise it’s predicted outcomes!
Brazil plays with too many forwards and two midfielders in Casemiro and Paqueta, Casemiro thinks he’s a box-box and not a defensive midfielder. Brazil claim they play 4-2-3-1 but in reality, it is 4-2-4.
Croatia is midfield-heavy, 5 of their players are actually midfielders and they arguably have one of the best midfields in the world. Croatia’s defense is not better in quality than Nigeria, their back 4 play at Celtic, Zenit St Petersburg, RB Leipzig, and Vfb Stuttgart.
Croatia’s attacker is not even of Nigeria’s quality and yet here they are beating Brazil into the semi-final.
Determination and gra gra did not get Croatia into the semifinal. In a tournament competition if you are merely relying on determination you will eventually tire out. Croatia acted to stop Venesius Junior from receiving the ball, just like every team Nigeria plays cages Moses Simon.
Like Nigeria, Brazil were tactically predictable, overconfident on their style and deserved to be knocked out. One coach was dancing while the other was plotting a tactical game.
During the game I saw the overconfidentiality of the Brazilian. look at the goal they scored . They practically wanted the ball go into the net dramaticing soccer. In full confident. Keeping their energy for the next game as confirmed Argentina. Thinking Croatia is an easy meat to devour in 90 minutes. All is now history. The eagles did that before. Hoping dey will. Beat Denmark without kicking the ball hoping for their next opponent to be. History always repeat itself.
The energy the use Argentines playingthe Dutch is visibly seen dey weren’t thinking of the next match wwen they are yet to finish the one they are playing.
If they put such energy again to play Croatia then Argentina is going to the final
Brazil has kept their energy for the next world cup coming to america.and the distance between south America and north America is so long but it wil soon come
In case of Nigeria i pray eagles wil Not be in same group with morroco Ghana for the qualiers from Africa.