Neymar couldn’t hold back his tears after the World Cup. Image: AP / Pavel Golovkin
World Cup 2022
In a dramatic quarter-final on Friday afternoon, Croatia surprisingly won 4-2 on penalties against the absolute top favorites Brazil.
Neymar put the Seleção ahead in the 106th minute, but Petkovic equalized with the Croatians’ first serious shot on goal in the 117th minute.
After Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed their attempts from the point, numerous Brazilian players collapsed in disbelief and burst into tears.
So does superstar Neymar, for whom it could have been the last World Cup despite his age of 30. But after the game there was a very special consolation for the attacker.
Son of ex-Bayern star high fives with Neymar
The Twitter account of the American sports website ESPN shared two pictures showing how the son of Croatian attacker Ivan Perišić wants to cheer up the exceptional player.
The former Bayern forward’s son first waited until Neymar and team-mate Dani Alves finished their hug before hinting to a bystander that he wanted to see Neymar.
Neymar gave him a high five and hugged him briefly in thanks. The boy then ran back to the celebrating Croatian team.
World Cup 2022: Ex-Bundesliga star Olic speaks of winning the title
With their victory, the Croatians underlined that they are actually invincible on penalties. Because at world championships they have never lost a duel from the point.
It was also at this World Cup after the round of 16 victory against Japan the second success in the penalty shootout.
“Coming back after being 0-1 was awesome, a great feeling. Then comes the penalty shootout – that’s our game, then we win,” said Croatia’s assistant coach Ivica Olic after the game at Magenta tv.
Ex-Bayern stars Mario Mandzukic (left) and Ivica Olic are assistant coaches in the national team.Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
The former FC attacker also praised Bavaria the mentality of the team: “In training we really have to put the brakes on our team. We say: no, we have to save energy. But they always want to play, want to kick the ball.”
Olic is not the only former Munich player on Zlatko Delic’s coaching staff. Mario Mandzukic is also part of the tournament as an assistant coach.
World Cup 2022: Croatia is dreaming of the final again
And the 36-year-old was also part of Croatia’s last big World Cup success, back then even on the pitch. In 2018, the team achieved the greatest success in the history of the association by reaching the World Cup final.
Croatia is a “small country,” said Olic, referring to the mere 3.8 million inhabitants. “But a very big football country,” he added.
And did that fans Hope. “Maybe we can do it with the title this time,” he said with a smile. In 2018 they lost in Moscow France with 4:2.