Brazil was 5 minutes away from the 2022 World Cup semifinal on the power of an exquisite purpose by Neymar in further time. Then, Croatia occurred.
The Croatians shocked Brazil on Friday, sending the 2022 World Cup favourite residence in an exhilarating penalty kick end.
“We've got demonstrated what Croatia is, what the Croatia crew is,” coach Zlatko Dalic mentioned. “We're a small nation and we received in opposition to the best favorites on the World Cup.”
It marked the third time within the match the Croats received through penalty shootout, and simply the most important to this point.
“It appears like a nightmare. It’s exhausting to imagine that is taking place,” mentioned Neymar, who saved his future with the nationwide crew open after the defeat.
The edges traded targets in further time — Neymar executing a give-and-go to tie Pele’s file for Brazilian targets and Bruno Petkovic night the rating within the a hundred and fifteenth minute.
The Croatian facet was image good when it went to penalties, scoring on all 4 pictures whereas goalie Dominik Livakovic made a key cease on Brazil’s opening salvo. Marquinhos had Livakovic beat on Brazil’s fourth try, however his shot bounced off the submit and sealed the Croatia win.
“He was the distinction in essential moments that saved us,” Dalic mentioned of his goalie. “He saved the primary penalty and gave us confidence and a insecurity for the rival as a result of they had been afraid he would save them once more. He made a distinction by means of the entire match.”
Livakovic has made a stellar case as Croatia’s MVP in Qatar thus far. He has made 20 saves within the match — together with these made throughout penalty kicks — and have become the primary goalie to make 10 saves in a sport this World Cup. Three saves got here within the penalty shootout within the Spherical of 16, during which the Croats eradicated Japan, incomes Livakovic Man of the Match honors for his efforts.
“We're raised as fighters, giving our greatest,” Livakovic mentioned. ”And that’s the recipe for fulfillment.”
Croatia turned the primary crew to maneuver on to the World Cup semifinals and can face Argentina — winners over Netherlands in penalty kicks as properly — for the suitable to advance to the ultimate.
Although possession was 50-50 all through common play and further time, Brazil had their share of probabilities after which some, placing 11 pictures out of 21 on purpose in comparison with one shot out of 9 on purpose for Croatia.
For about 12 minutes of sport time, it was Neymar’s second. The 30-year-old Brazilian celebrity weaved his manner towards the purpose with a sequence of quick passes to his teammates earlier than dribbling round Livakovic and roofing the ball into the empty internet for a 1-0 lead shortly after the beginning of the second half in further time.
Brazil, which had been dominant in all its video games, appeared prepared for the semifinals.
However Croatia didn’t let the second get away from them, countering with Pekovic’s tally and persevering in penalties to make their third semifinal within the final seven World Cups.
4 years in the past, Croatia received its first two knockout stage video games on penalties, eliminating Denmark after which host nation Russia earlier than advancing to the ultimate by beating England in further time. This yr, the Balkan facet beat Japan on penalties and have now knocked out the favorites on penalties to advance to their second straight semifinals.
— With AP
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