Neymar covered his face as Markinos' fourth shot hit the post in the tiebreaker. The darkness of the kingdom in the face of Casemiro. The entire Brazilian team then sank into despair. Brazil's run stopped in the quarter-finals after losing to Croatia. The five-time world champions left Doha's Education City Stadium last night with all hopes of a sixth World Cup title dashed. It's a night of tears for millions of Brazil fans.
At the end of the match tied 1-1, Brazil's first shot in the tiebreaker was taken by young substitute forward Rodrigo. But succumbing to extreme nerves, he took a weak shot, which was blocked by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who played brilliantly in the match. After Rodrigo, Marquinhos' miss ruined Brazil. On the other hand, Croatia scored on all four shots. In the end, Croatia won the tiebreaker with a margin of 4-2 and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. The Croats are in the last four for the third time in their sixth World Cup. Brazil's 12th semi-final did not happen.
An incredible match. At the end of 90 minutes, Brazil had 7 shots on the post. Croatia had none. The anxious yellow-wave is still in alarm. But all fears of extra time were removed by Neymar himself on the scene. It seemed then that Brazil's sixth World Cup journey was surviving on the magic of his feet.
In the 106th minute, Brazil's 'number ten' entered the box with two teammates. Dominik Livakovic broke through the resistance under the posts to do the rest. Croatia's goalkeeper could not save the end. When Neymar overcame him and put the ball into the net with a sharp shot from close range, a cloud of fear had been lifted from the sky of Brazil. This goal is also the answer to many discussions and criticisms about him. Neymar has touched the legend of Pele, the highest goal scorer of Brazil. Both the goals for the country are now 77.
When Brazil was almost a breath away from victory, Croatia's goal stunned the Brazilian camp in the 117th minute. That was Croatia's first shot on Brazil's post. Dynamo Jagbar's forward Bruno Petkovic's shot from a little inside the box deflected off the feet of Brazil defender and captain Thiago Silva and into the net. Hands on the head of Brazil! Then there's the tiebreaker—sad. After the 2002 World Cup, Brazil failed to beat a European team in the knockout stage of the World Cup five times in a row.
But on this night, Brazil sweated hard to secure a ticket to the semi-finals. Brazil like to attack from the start of the match, but Croatia did not give that chance today. They were getting up on their own rather than keeping the ball at their feet. Croatia almost got a goal in 12 minutes. Saved as Ivan Perisic couldn't get a foothold. Soon Modric's cross panics the yellow-defence.
Barisich's defense filled the gaps. That's why Brazil couldn't find the way to the final pass like the other day. On the other hand, Croatia is blindfolded by Brazil's defense. Somewhat under pressure, Brazilian defender Danilo saw the first yellow card of the match for a dangerous foul in the 24th minute. After that, Mario Pasalichra scared Brazil by changing sides sometimes.
At the end of the first half, the statistics stood like this - Brazil 51, Croatia 49 in ball possession. Brazil had five shots on the post, including three on target. Tite used all the weapons in his arsenal to score. In the second half, the coach brought on Antoni, Vinicius and Rodrigo. Richarlison was also picked up at the end. At the end of 90 minutes, the number of saves of the Croatia goalkeeper is 8. Then a save in the tiebreaker. He is also the hero who made Neymar cry and took Croatia to the last four.
