Croatia surprised Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout on Friday to achieve the semi-finals of the World Cup after Marquinhos slammed the decisive kick in opposition to the put up.
Neymar appeared to have stored Brazil’s hopes of a sixth World Cup title alive by beginning and ending a superb effort in further time that equalled Pele’s worldwide scoring report of 77 objectives.
But he was left distraught and sobbing after Brazil misplaced a shootout that was triggered when Bruno Petkovic popped as much as make it 1-1 on the end of further time.
Neymar’s particular person flash of brilliance had lit up a tense and sometimes niggly sport that completed goalless in regular time, Croatia’s man-of-the-match goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic pulling off a sequence of gorgeous blocks to maintain the Brazilians at bay.
But because the minutes of further time ticked down on the Education City Stadium, Petkovic popped as much as join with a cross and his deflected shot discovered its manner into the web previous the outstretched arm of Brazil ‘keeper Alisson.
If Brazil have been rocked by the late equaliser, worse was to return in a sequence of nerve-shredding spot kicks.
The tone was set when Nikola Vlasic slammed the opening penalty down the center and into the web, earlier than Livakovic tipped away Rodrygo’s first effort for Brazil.
In the end it got here right down to Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos who strode up confidently, however noticed his kick rebound off the put up to offer Croatia a 4-2 win within the shootout and a spot within the final 4 for the second World Cup in a row.
As the Croatian gamers sprinted throughout the turf in pleasure, Marquinhos sank to his knees and Neymar was quickly in tears, being consoled by veteran teammate Dani Alves.
Livakovic, who once more performed an enormous position after his heroics in opposition to Japan, mentioned: “We’re raised as fighters. We spare no effort — we’re always giving our best and that’s our recipe for success.”
The Croatian staff coached by Zlatko Dalic adopted up their win over Japan on penalties within the final spherical with this victory, which could nicely go down as their best ever triumph.
Brazil should wait at the very least one other 4 years for that sixth title – by 2026 will probably be 24 years since they final gained it.
Instead of a blockbuster South American semi-final between Brazil and Argentina, it’s Croatia who will face the winners of the conflict later Friday between Lionel Messi’s facet and the Netherlands.
– ‘Pretty stupid’ –
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is hoping to end his look ahead to a World Cup after Argentina misplaced to Germany within the closing eight years in the past.
The Copa America holders go up in opposition to the Dutch at Lusail Stadium, the venue for the December 18 closing.
The two international locations have met 5 instances on the World Cup, together with within the 1978 closing, which Argentina gained 3-1 after extra-time.
Attention switches on Saturday to the heavyweight conflict between defending champions France and England.
France captain Hugo Lloris mentioned the rivalry between the 2 international locations was particular.
“These are two great football nations and the rivalry between us also exists in other sports like rugby,” he mentioned on Friday.
“When you get to such a high level these are great battles. At an event like the World Cup there is a special flavour to a France-England game. But we are preparing for a World Cup quarter-final, regardless of the opponent.”
England boss Gareth Southgate has vowed to go on the assault, regardless of the risk from the fleet-footed Kylian Mbappe, arguably the very best participant on this planet.
“There is no point going into a game like this and just covering up and sitting on the ropes,” he informed ITV. “We believe we can cause problems with the ball and we intend to do that.”
In the opposite sport on Saturday, Morocco, within the World Cup quarter-finals for the primary time, tackle Portugal.
Portugal on Thursday denied stories that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to give up the camp after he was benched for his or her 6-1 rout of Switzerland within the final 16.
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