Croatia became the first team to reach the semi-finals at the World Cup in Qatar. The Europeans beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties.
After regular time and extra time, the score was 1-1 (0-0) at Al-Rayyan’s Education City Stadium on Friday evening (12/9/22). Brazil had taken the lead through Neymar (105′ + 2′), Bruno Petkovic had leveled (117′). On penalties, the Brazilians Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed, while all the Croatians scored.
In the semi-finals next Tuesday (13.12.22, 8 p.m. CET) the Europeans will face the winner of the Netherlands-Argentina duel.
Defensive rows determine what happens
Both teams were stingy in the first half with successful offensive actions. Most of the action took place in midfield. But the spaces there were so narrow that the creative forces that were abundantly available on both sides could only develop sporadically. The defensive performance of the contractors met the highest standards. In possession, Brazil and Croatia disappointed in the first 45 minutes.
In particular, the Seleção, who started with the same starting XI for the second consecutive season in Qatar, couldn’t pick up the pace at all. Of the offensive artists around Richarlison and Neymar, only left winger Vinicius Junior attracted attention before half-time with a few dribbles.
Perisic has Croatia’s leadership on the heels
Croatia had the somewhat clearer playing system. The runner-up in the first half combined a lot of lengths, at least now and then a little faster and had the only notable scoring chance through Ivan Perisic. After a precise cross from Mario Pasalic, the former Bundesliga attacker failed to hit the ball properly. His shot from a promising position rolled wide of the target (15th).
Seleção increased the pressure after the break
The Seleção became really dangerous for the first time shortly after the change of sides when Raphinha served Vinicius Junior in an exemplary manner and the left winger forced keeper Livakovic to make a brilliant save (47th). 120 seconds later, Marcelo Brozovic was just able to block a Neymar shot. Croatia’s penalty hero from the round of 16 against Japan was also unbearable for Brazil’s peroxide superstar in the 55th minute, so that the score remained 0-0.
Only thawed after halftime: Brazil’s superstar Neymar (l.).
In the meantime, however, this result was happy for the Europeans. They were nowhere near as compact as they were before the break.
Brazil desperate for keeper Livakovic
But the “Kockasti” had a “badass” between the posts in Livakovic: the 27-year-old also thwarted the fourth Brazilian chance to score through Lucas Paquetá (66′). The Croatians hardly made an offensive appearance at all. Coach Zlatko Dalic tried to give his team new momentum with the substitutions of Nikola Vlasic and Bruno Petkovic (72nd).
But it was still only Brazil who could have taken the lead again through Neymar. Again Livakovic did not agree (76th). The keeper played the biggest part in the fact that the Europeans, who were disappointing in terms of football in the second half, were able to save themselves in extra time.
Croatia misses the 1-0, Seleção scores
Brazil also set the tone in the extra time, but now found it difficult to create chances against the very deep Croatians. Coach Tite’s side initially lost their game and were lucky not to fall behind after one of the very few counterattacks by the Europeans. Perisic had outplayed two Brazilians and placed it on Petkovic, who hastily shot over the goal (103′).
Sensitized by this opportunity, the Seleção immediately increased the pressure. And now the efforts of the record world champion have also been rewarded: Neymar played a one-two with Rodrygo, then rounded Livakovic and threw the ball under the bar from close range to make it 1-0 (105+1).
Neymar draws level with Pele
With this goal, the 30-year-old drew level with Brazil’s soccer legend Pelé. It was his 77th goal in the Seleção jersey, putting him level with record goalscorer Pelé, who is currently hospitalized.
Petkovic equalizes shortly before the end
Until just before the end of the second half of extra time, it appeared that Neymar had scored the golden goal. Croatia made an effort, but harmlessly. But a good attack was enough for the Dalic team to go to penalties after all: Substitute Mislav Orsic passed Petkovic in the back, whose shot was deflected into the far corner by Marquinhos, leaving keeper Alisson powerless (117′). .
The last extra action then belonged to Livakovic again. The keeper prevented the second Brazilian goal against Casemiro (120+2).
Rodrygo and Marquinhos tragic heroes in the penalty shootout
In the most dramatic of all decisions, the penalty shoot-out, the first semi-finalist had to be determined. And in this Livakovic again became a hero. The 27-year-old parried Rodrygo’s first attempt from Brazil. After that, all the shooters initially scored until Marquinhos failed to hit the post. The rest was boundless Croatian jubilation and a South American sea of tears.