After a goalless 90 mins, Neymar put Brazil within the lead with a medical end in stoppage time of the primary part of additional time. But change Bruno Petkovic took the fit into the penalty shootout by means of scoring the equalizer for Croatia within the 117th minute.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic become the hero of the Croatian facet once more, saving Rodrigo‘s first penalty to present his crew merit within the shootout. Marquinhos, who got here on as fourth penalty taker for Brazil, then hit the put up to present Croatia a 4–2 shootout win.
The 2018 runners-up will face the winners of the second one quarter-final between Argentina and Netherlands for a spot within the last.
Croatia advances to the Semi-finals! 👏@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) 1670608657000
In a night stuffed with rigidity and drama, Brazil celebrity Neymar concept he had gained the sport when he rifled in an extra-time function for the five-time global champions.
Croatia change Bruno Petkovic’s left-footed equalizer 3 mins from the tip of additional time drew his facet degree, breaking Brazilian hearts at Doha’s Education City Stadium.
The Croats saved their composure from the penalty spot as Brazil’s Marquinhos and Rodrygo did not convert.
Croatia to start with refused to be intimidated by means of their extra illustrious warring parties and within the first part effectively stifled maximum Brazil strikes early.
Brazil avid gamers take a seat at the pitch after their loss towards Croatia in a penalty shootout. (AP Photo)
Apart from a vulnerable Vinicius Jr. shot, Brazil had little else to provide relating to assault with Neymar off the tempo and close out by means of a hard-working backline.
It was once Croatia who regarded sharper, extra professional of their passing sport and with an exact sport plan, and by means of the tip of the primary part they’d the higher hand relating to ownership.
A Neymar unfastened kick simply sooner than the destroy didn’t hassle Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic because the Brazilians, whose ultimate win over a European opponent within the knockout segment got here of their 2002 last victory over Germany, struggled to seek out any area.
They did, then again, nearly take the lead 3 mins after the restart when Josko Gvardiol attempted to transparent the ball however nearly grew to become it into his personal function.
Seconds later, claims for a handball by means of defender Josip Juranovic have been shot down following a VAR assessment sooner than Neymar was once despatched via by means of Richarlison within the fifty fifth minute best to have his close-range effort blocked by means of Livakovic.
The Brazilians, who’ve now misplaced 4 in their ultimate 5 World Cup quarter-finals all to European opposition, loved a a lot better begin to the second one part and got here shut once more within the 66th when Lucas Paqueta was once denied by means of Livakovic.
The Croatia keeper was once saved busy and stopped Neymar within the 76th and by means of that point had extra saves within the fit (seven) than his Brazil counterpart, Alisson, had in all the event (5).
Livakovic parried every other Paqueta shot 5 mins later because the few hundred Brazil fanatics within the stands grew louder and extra impatient and the sport trickled over to additional time with Brazil trainer Tite visibly apprehensive.
In stoppage time of the primary length, Neymar, in large part lackluster till then, introduced an assault out of doors the field, performed two consecutive one-twos to bamboozle the drained Croatian protection after which rounded the keeper to equivalent Brazil’s nice Pele‘s document of 77 global objectives.
But the Croats refused to give up with Petkovic’s equalizer forcing consequences and popping out on most sensible within the shootout with Livakovic saving Rodrygo’s spot kick and Marquinos hitting the put up.
(With inputs from businesses)