Croatia booked their place in semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup following a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over tournament favourite Brazil at the Education City Stadium in Doha on Friday.
Attacker Rodrygo and defender Marquinos missed from the spot for the Samba boys as Croatia emerged 4-2 winners to seal a place in the tournament’s last four.
Bruno Petkovic scored in the 117th minute of the match to cancel out Neymar’s magical 105th minute opening goal as Croatia forced a penalty-shootout against tournament favourite Brazil in the first of four quarter-final clashes.
Zlatko Dalić made a two changes from the side which started against Japan in the round of 16 with Mario Pašalić deployed on the right of midfield while Borna Sosa sloted in at left back in place of Borna Barišić.
It was an urgent and energetic Croatia as they pressed Brazil on attack from the start, nullifying anything the Brazilians tried to do in the early stages.
With Luka Modrić leading the way, Croatia managed to control the pace of the game in the first half, enjoying slightly more possession than their opponents.
Josip Juranović and Mario Pašalić down the right, and Ivan Perišić on the left caused some problems for Brazil but there were no real chances for Croatia.
Brazil came close to opening the scoring at the start of the second half but Livaković would make two good saves from Neymar.
In the 65th minute Livaković again made a fantastic save to deny Paqueta. The Croatian keeper would again save from Neymar ten minutes later when he was put through alone in the box.
Croatia defended well, frustrating Brazil and they would force the quarterfinal into extra-time.
Croatia had a great chance to take the lead first in extra-time when Bruno Petkovic beat two defenders and squared the ball to Marcelo Brozović but his shot would go over the bar.
Brazil would finally find a way through in the 105th minute when Neymar picked up the ball in the box and skipped around Livaković to fire into the roof of the net.
Croatia, who did not have a shot on target in the match, would equalise in the 116th minute when Petković’s left-foot shot from a Mislav Oršić cross took a deflection to go into the back of the net.
Once again Croatia would head to penalties and Livaković would save Rodrygo’s first penalty to give Croatia an early advantage. Vlašić, Majer, Modrić and Oršić all scored before Pedro would hit the post to send Croatia into the last four.
Croatia now advance through to the semi-final against either Argentina or Holland.
