Croatia vs Brazil Highlights: Croatia knock favourites Brazil out of the World Cup | Football News

NEW DELHI: Pre-tournament favorites Brazil was excluded world football championship again at the quarterfinals stage, the fourth of their last eight in the last five editions, as Croatia won from a crushing defeat to reach the semi-finals in Qatar. Croatia beat the five-time champions 4-2 on penalties after extra time ended 1-1 at the Education City stadium.
After 90 minutes without a goal, Neymar put Brazil ahead with a dangerous finish in the first minute of extra time. But instead Bruno Petkovic sent the match into a penalty shootout with an equalizer for Croatia in the 117th minute.
Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic became a hero to save the Croatian side Rodrigohis first penalty to give his team an advantage in the penalty shootout. Marquinhos, who took the fourth penalty for Brazil, then hit the post to help Croatia win 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
The 2018 runner-up will face the winner of the second quarter-final match between Argentina and the Netherlands for a place in the final.

In a tense and dramatic evening, Brazilian superstar Neymar thought he had won the game when he scored in extra time for the five-time world champion.
Croatian substitute Bruno Petkovic, who scored a left-footed equalizer three minutes into extra time, leveled his side, breaking the Brazilian’s heart at the City Stadium Education in Doha.
The Croatian kept his cool from the penalty spot as Brazil’s Marquinhos and Rodrygo failed to convert successfully.
Initially, Croatia refused to be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents and in the first half successfully blocked most of Brazil’s moves early on.

Brazilian players sit on the pitch after their penalty shootout defeat to Croatia. (AP photo)
Aside from a weak shot from Vinicius Jr., Brazil had little else to offer in terms of attack as Neymar picked up pace and was stopped by a hard-working backline.
Croatia were sharper, more skilled in passing and had precise planning, and by the end of the first half they had the upper hand in possession.
Neymar’s free kick just before half-time did not pose a problem for Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic as Brazil’s last win over a European opponent in the knockout stages was in victory. final against Germany in 2002, struggled to find space.
However, they narrowly took the lead three minutes after restarting when Josko Gvardiol tried to clear the ball but almost scored an own goal.
Seconds later, defender Josip Juranovic’s request to use the ball was denied after a VAR review before Neymar was overtaken by Richarlison in the 55th minute only for Livakovic to save an effort at close range.
The Brazilian, who has now lost four of his last five World Cup quarter-finals to European rivals, had a much better start to the second half and closed again in the 66th minute when Lucas Paqueta was denied by Livakovic.
The Croatian goalkeeper was busy and stopped Neymar in the 76th minute and at that point he had more saves in the game (seven) than his Brazilian counterpart, Alisson, in the whole tournament (five).
Livakovic saved another Paqueta shot five minutes later as the few hundred Brazilian fans in the stands grew louder and more impatient and the game went into extra time with Brazil coach Tite clearly visible. worried.
In the extra time of the first half, Neymar, who had been mostly lackluster until then, launched an attack from outside the box, making two consecutive one-two moves to break through the defence. Tired of Croatia and then passed the goalkeeper to equalize for Brazil. Pellethis record 77 international goals.
But the Croats refused to surrender with Petkovic’s equalizer forcing penalties and taking the lead in the penalty shootout when Livakovic saved Rodrygo’s penalty and Marquinos hit the post.
(With input from agencies)