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The sizzling Samba moves dragged to a sudden standstill, as high-flying Brazil were shown the door by Croatia in a dramatic quarterfinal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Friday (December 9).
After extra time ended 1-1, Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved the first kick of the shootout to set the tone as Brazil lost 4-2 to break countless hearts in the Education City Stadium and across the world.
Brazil were frustrated for large swathes of the game by a resilient rearguard action from Zlatko Dalic's men. Josko Gvardiol and Dejan Lovren tracked the runs of Neymar and Richarlison, while Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa kept wingers Raphinha and Vinicius in control.
The Selecao did fashion a few nice moves through typically stylish passing football. Vinicius cut in in the 17th minute to test Livakovic, while Lucas Paqueta tried a long-ranger in the 23rd. Croatia, meanwhile, threatened on the counter, with Juranovic's slaloming run and Pasalic's cross nearly setting up a chance for Ivan Perisic in the 13th.
Brazil attacked with more urgency in the second half. A fine interplay of passes between Vinicius Jr. and Neymar saw the latter shoot, but his shot was blocked by Gvardiol. Croatia also survived a penalty scare in the 49h minute when the ball hit Juranovic's arm, and there was a VAR check.
Richarlison sent Neymar through in the 55th, but the PSG ace's shot from the left of the box was saved by Livakovic, one of 11 on the night. Brazil fashioned a few other chances, but Livakovic and his defenders were on song as extra time ensued.
The deadlock was finally broken by a worldie. Neymar played a couple of give and gos with Pedro and Paqueta to get through on goal in the 106th minute before smashing it home. But just when it seemed Brazil had done enough, Croatia struck. The 2018 finalists broke through on goal, with Mislav Orsic's low cross from the left shot home by Bruno Petkovic in the 117th minute, thanks to a deflection from Marquinhos.
The game went into a penalty shootout, and Livakovic was the man of the moment again, as he dived to his left to save Rodrygo's shot. The two teams converted their penalties till Marquinhos, needing to score, hit the post with his low attempt to the left. Vlasic, Modric, Majer and Orsic converted their kicks for Croatia, while Pedro and Casemiro did so for Brazil.
It was all over as the Croats broke into wild celebration, and the Brazilians broke into inconsolable tears. They have now been knocked out in a World Cup quarterfinal by European opposition on four occasions since 2006.
The resolute Croats were never one of the pre-tournament favourites but have ground their way to another semifinal. On that note, here are the five hits and flops from the game.
#1 Hit - Neymar (Brazil)
Neymar's 77th goal for Brazil was a thing of beauty. It was also a record-equaling strike, as it helped the PSG star match Pele's tally for Brazil. His moment of magic, though, would eventually come in a losing cause on a night of tragedy for the five-time winners.
#2 Flop - Vincius Jr. (Brazil)
His brilliant performance against South Korea raised hopes that the extremely talented Real Madrid winger would set the stage alight against Croatia.
Alas, that wasn't to be, as Vinicius was marked out for large swathes of the game by Juranovic, managing just one shot and zero key passes before he was taken off.
#3 Hit- Croatia defence
No words of praise are enough for the shift Gvardiol, Lovren, Juranovic and Sosa put in to keep Brazil at bay for most of this intriguing game.
Their awareness, game reading and bravery dragged the game deep and helped Croatia record a stunning win at the end. Juranovic was also brilliant on overlaps and initiated attacks.
#2 Flop - Rodrygo (Brazil)
After replacing Vinicius in the 64th, his clubmate was expected to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Alas, Rodrygo looked uninspired on one of the most important nights of his life.
Though he made more than 90% of his passes, he attempted only two dribbles that did not come off and made no attempts on goal or find an assist. He also took a poor penalty in the shootout that put Croatia on the ascendancy.
#1 Hit - Dominik Livakovic (Croatia)
Carrying on from where he left off against Japan, the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper was a towering presence in his box and almost the last man standing on many occasions.
He made 11 saves, the most by a 'keeper in this World Cup, and seven of them came from inside the box. He also saved in the shootout to set the tone for a memorable win.
