Brazil – Croatia: The favorites out of the competition

BRAZIL – CROATIA: THE FAVORITES OUT OF THE COMPETITION

Brazil had negotiated well this match by opening the score in the first half of the extra time against the Croats. However, they were overtaken and then beaten by a strong and determined Croatian team. The Seleção lost 4-2 in the penalty shootout, in this quarterfinal of the World Cup 2022.

CROATIA STEPS UP THE PACE

After some first games below the expectations placed in them, especially in the group phase, Luka Modric’s teammates have raised the pace during this game. This was particularly evident in the midfield, as Tite’s men had a lot of trouble breaking the opponent’s construction. The Croatians were able to count on Dominik Livakovic, who made no less than 11 saves in this match.

In the second half, Brazil once again established its dominance. The men in yellow had quite a few chances, all of which were turned away by the opposing goalkeeper. Although they were dominant in the game, the possession was nevertheless balanced with 50% for each team. The Croatians especially had difficulty in concretizing their rare chances (6 shots in total, 1 on target and 5 off target). But that was without counting on the overtime phase, which turned in favor of the Vatreni.

AN EXTENSION THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING…

The Brazilians had no choice but to go to overtime in this game. The regulation time was not enough to separate the two teams, so close in this game. They continued their attacks, and finally found the way to the goal (105th+1), thanks to Neymar. The Brazilian star thus equals the record of goals in selection of a certain Pele. The objective was to manage the lead on the yellow and green side. Tite’s players did it very well until that second overtime period.

We had to wait until the 117th minute to see the Croatian equalization. While they managed their lead perfectly, the Brazilians wanted to try a last offensive. With just a few moments left in the game, Mislav Orsic recovers and goes on the counter. He passes directly to Bruno Petkovic, who hits the ball in first intention. The ball is deflected by Marquinhos, deceives Alisson and ends in the net. There will be no choice but to go through the penalty shootout…

A VICTORY SNATCHED FROM THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT…

The famous penalty shootout… The Croatians know how to do that. Nikola Vlasic scored the first shot on goal of the game for the Vatreni. On the Brazilian side, it is the young winger of Real Madrid, Rodrygo, who steps forward to strike. He sees his penalty kick taken by Dominik Livakovic, who went to the right side. Later, Lovro Majer, Luka Modric and Mislav Orsic transformed theirs, as did Casemiro and Pedro for Brazil. It was Marquinhos who had the heavy responsibility of taking the decisive penalty. He takes a good shot but unfortunately his penalty hits the right post of the Croatian keeper. Hopes are gone for Brazil in this World Cup 2022, which is forced to leave the competition in the quarterfinals.