Out in the quarterfinals against Croatia: Brazil’s World Cup sinks into tears

Neymar glittered. Brazil’s best-known footballer wore six earrings to warm up, or rather: on the occasion that others use to prepare for the kick-off, but he sees it more as his first appearance on stage. When the stadium camera caught him in close-up at the Education City arena in al-Rayyan, the jewelry could be counted: two rings and a stud on the right, a heart-shaped stud, another ring and a dangling cross on the left ear.

Neymar, 30, also had his one glittering moment in the game, the quarter-finals against Croatia on Friday night. He scored a nice goal in extra time after a dribble that looked like the decisive one, he celebrated. But a few minutes later, he watched as Brazil defender Marquinhos put the ball against the post, sealing Brazil’s defeat: 2-4 on penalties, after 1-1 in extra time.

As the Croatians celebrated, celebrating their second consecutive penalty shoot-out win of the tournament, again with a save from their powerful goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, Neymar still hadn’t moved from the center circle. He pulled his jersey over his head before crying, sobbing, dragging himself to the Brazilian fans. The footballer, who signed the Qatari owners of Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for 222 million euros, he is no longer participating in the World Cup in Qatar.

Brazil versus Croatia, that was the duel between two teams that had been almost opposites in the tournament so far. The Brazilians had lined up one offensive spectacle after the next and had to defend themselves against narrow-minded criticism for dancing extensively after their goals. So Brazil’s footballers stood for: fun.

The Croatians know how to impose their rather leisurely pace on tournament favorites Brazil

Croatia, on the other hand, knew how to rob the Japanese, who had been playing like they were playing with wings, of their fun, especially in the round of 16. What is not to be understood disrespectfully: The midfield around Luka Modric knows how to impose their own, rather leisurely pace on a game in an almost masterful, technically and tactically demanding way.

As much as it was the Brazilians who were in the spotlight as one of the tournament favourites, Croatia’s most famous players deserved at least one highly prominent supporting role. Even if Modric, 37, does not want to talk about his future in Qatar, the possibility looms over every game that it could be the last in the Croatian national shirt for one of the formative footballers of his time. But the Croatians continue in Qatar. As in 2018, when they finished second in the World Cup, they also won the quarter-finals on penalties after the round of 16. Modric played a big part in that, was playable for 120 minutes and converted his penalty.

The decisive moment in the end: Marquinhos only hits the post.

(Photo: Pool/Getty Images)

The first half passed already after the performance of the Croatians. Because there was often a murmur through the stadium, an expectant inhalation when Neymar, Vinícius Júnior or Richarlison started their runs towards the goal. But either the degrees were too harmless, or the Croatians blocked the way. Ultimately with the desired success: “We are a small country with very great footballers,” said long-time Bundesliga professional Ivica Olic after the triumph, now the Croatian assistant coach, “I’m very proud. We’re in the semi-finals for the second time in a row, maybe this time it’ll last until the end.”

The ball possession statistics were balanced, the outsider won more duels. And there were real chances to score only shortly after the break: First, Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol dangerously directed the ball in the direction of his own goalkeeper after a pass by Raphinha, then Neymar was the focus twice: First, because he shot in the penalty area and twisted around his own Axis tried to play instead; then because he failed with space to keeper Dominik Livakovic.

In the penalty shoot-out, Croatia’s keeper Livakovic saves Rodrygo’s first attempt, the Croatians score clean

It remained a tough affair for the Brazilians, who had previously scored eight goals in four games. After an hour they attacked with new wingers, Antony for Raphinha, Rodrygo for Vinícius Júnior. Neymar continued to have the best chances, with fifteen minutes to go the best, after a pass by Richarlison he was free in the six-yard box. But the better game, measured against their opportunities, made the defending Croatians, with goalkeeper Livakovic as a reliable security. He saved Neymar’s shot and the game went into overtime.

Now Richarlison was out too, substituting for another striker, Pedro from Flamengo Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilians used magic occasionally, Antony rolling the ball through the legs of Borna Sosa from VfB Stuttgart, who was back after an illness. And in the 105th minute, Neymar’s moment came: he grabbed the ball, played two one-twos, was in the penalty area, dribbled past Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and scored.

All the Brazilians jumped up from the bench, met at the corner flag and formed a large circle. Neymar tugged at his shirt shoulders as the crowd in the stands cheered him on. As if to say: It was me. But that’s not all.

The Croatians had to be braver, started the second half of extra time more offensively and came back: A seemingly simple attack down the left, substitute Mislav Orsic played the ball in the backcourt to substitute striker Boris Petkovic, the 1-1. “We could have played more concentrated, we didn’t defend a counterattack well. It’s incredibly difficult now,” defense chief Thiago Silva said afterwards inconsolably to the scene. Tite announced that he would step down as national coach as planned.

Livakovic then saved Rodrygo’s first attempt on penalties, and the Croatians converted all safely. And Neymar, who probably should have taken the last penalty, missed it.

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