Croatia 1 (5) – 1 (3) Brazil: Croatia never left
Croatia shocked the world again showing their resilience to end the journey of the Canarinha in the World Cup
The samba came to an end sooner than expected in Qatar. Brazil wasn’t good enough in the penalty shootout against Livaković, as a result their terrible run continues: they have lost their six encounters in the last five World Cup knockouts against European teams.
Both sides started with their classic 4-3-3 formation, but Zlatko Dalić decided to replace Borna Barišić for Borna Sosa as left back and Marko Livaja for Mario Pašalić in the right wing. Danilo started as a left back because Alex Sandro was still dragging muscular discomfort.
In the first half, both teams demonstrated a lack of creativity in attack but they were very reliable in defense.
Croatia’s right back Josip Juranović had a great role stopping dangerous runs from Vinicius and always choosing right decisions with the ball in his feet. He provoked the best chance of his team in the first half, taking the ball from his half of the pitch to Mario Pašalić in the right wing, with the Atalanta player nearly finding Ivan Perišić in a dangerous position inside the box.
Brazil tied to mix the possession with quickly moves finding Vinicius Junior and Neymar in the left wing and create one to one situations against defenders. In the minute 20, Vinicius and Richarlison combined inside the box but the shot of the Real Madrid striker was blocked by the defense before finding the goal.
After the trip to the dressing room, Brazil dominated the game but Croatian keeper Dominik Livaković made brilliant saves to remain his team alive in the game.
In the first play of the second half, Rafinha generated a brilliant chance that ended with a cross of Militão being deflected by Gvardiol, but the ball took the goal direction and Livaković had to save it with his left feet showing his reflexes. In the next of the play, Vinicius tried to chip the keeper but he was quick enough to chase him down and ended up saving it with his hand.
Neymar had two brilliant opportunities in the 54th minute and in the 75th, but he couldn’t beat the goalkeeper. Richarlison fed him with two clinical passes but the PSG star low shots from the left side of the box were not good enough to find the net.
Croatia was struggling and only had a break when Modrić, Kovačić and Brozović found the timing to slow down the pace of the game. The red and white side had a bad time physically during the last 15 minutes due to the effort of being defending the whole time.
As usually, Croatia managed to end the 90 minutes alive – They have reached the extra time in sixth of their last seven knockout games in major tournaments.
In the minute 103, they had a clear chance after Petkovic dribbled two defenders in the box and assisted Perišić, but his shot fell wide over the bar.
Brazil was running out of ideas in attack, trying to find the net with long shots.
A brilliant move of Neymar just before the end of the extra time first half was enough to put his team on the lead and equalize Pelé as the top scorer of the Brazilian team with 77 goals. The PSG star took the ball outside the box and after a one-two combination with Lucas Paquetá, he faced Livaković, dribbled him and score a high shot.
After the break, Croatia made a great effort, and they found their prize in the minute 116. Mislav Oršić created the space in the left wing and found Bruno Petković in the box with a low cross. The Dinamo Zagreb striker managed to take the shot, Marquinhos deflected it and mislead Allison, who couldn’t save it before finding the net.
Against all odds, Croatia ended reaching the penalty shootout against the World Cup favourites Brazil. For the fifth time in their last seven knockout games in major tournaments, their destiny was decided from the penalty spot. It ended up on their side.
Croatia didn’t miss a single penalty, while Brazil couldn’t score two of them. Livaković saved Rodrygo’s first shot and Marquinhos hit the post in the decisive one, allowing Croatia to reach the semifinals.
The Croatians will play on Tuesday against the winner of the Netherlands – Argentina tie for a spot in their second World Cup final in a row.
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