Croatia stuns Brazil after another penalty shootout win
Welcome to the Quarter-Finals πβ½οΈποΈπ
We are nearing the end of the World Cup, but before that can happen there are still a few more matches to be played. We've saved the best for last, as only the most potent teams remain.
The first quarter-final match was between 2018 World Cup runner-ups Croatia and the #1 ranked international team Brazil. These are two of the strongest defensive teams through this World Cup so far. Each one has only given up two goals total up until this point. Brazil has more weapons on offense and is certainly a deeper team, but Croatia has experience playing (and winning) during some of their biggest matches.
Personally, I really wished to see Brazil win this match. I was confident that they would, but as we all know so well after watching 50+ matches at this world cup, nothing is guaranteed and anything can happen.
Let's recap another game from the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar...
Croatiaππ· vs Brazilπ§π·
My Prediction: Brazil
This match started as even as it gets. Croatia didn't seem intimidated at all and Brazil remained poised despite the pressure to remain the best. Back-and-forth things went through the majority of the first half. By the time halftime arrived, still, nobody had scored. There weren't even any major chances for either side. Croatia definitely had hung with Brazil through the initial 45, but I wondered if they'd be able to do the same in the second half.
Once we reached the 90th minute, the match was still scoreless. Brazil had 8 shots on goal and several of them nearly resulted in goals. Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made multiple saves that kept his team in this match. Croatia had zero shots on goal throughout regulation. On to extra time, these two teams went.
In the 105th minute, Brazil's #10 Neymar scored the first goal of the match. This strike ties Neymar with Pele's 77 total goals scored for Brazil. One more and he will pass PelΓ© and be at the top by himself. Have a close look at this brilliantly orchestrated goal that gave Brazil the lead.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1601264088696459266?s=20&t=WKbdMQM6aQY9y1rUVgCmuQ
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1601264740998807553?s=20&t=WKbdMQM6aQY9y1rUVgCmuQ
Croatia somehow managed to keep its composure after that heartbreaking goal. They went into the second half of extra determined to find an equalizer. In the 117th minute, they did just that when Bruno PetkoviΔ blasted a shot from the edge of the box. It doesn't get much better than this, Brazil was shell-shocked.
https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1601268279066218496?s=20&t=Tx0LROi8wER380Poy5c0wQ
At the end of 120 minutes, the score was even and the next stop would be a penalty shootout. Croatia and Brazil both are teams that are very used to winning in penalties. They both had won their last 3 penalty shootouts, but one would have to lose this time.
The results of the penalty shootout were:
β
ππ· 1οΈβ£ π§π· β
β
ππ· 2οΈβ£ π§π· β
β
ππ· 3οΈβ£ π§π· β
β
ππ· 4οΈβ£ π§π· β
As a Brazil fan, I am pretty sad that Croatia knocked them out. Brazil had this game in the palm of their hands, but their defense just failed them at the very end giving Croatia the chance that they needed to get the match to go to penalties. Croatia moves on to the next round where they will face Argentina.
Result: 1-1 in favor of Croatia after penalties
Brazil falls to Croatia
Not many expected this outcome, but true fans of the sport knew that it was entirely possible. This surely spoiled Neymar's goal that tied PelΓ©. Although Brazil is stacked and played very well, Croatia just would not accept being put to bed early. It will be interesting to see if they can continue winning in this tournament as they advance to the semi-finals. There is still a chance that we could see a rematch of the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia which of course was Croatia vs France.
Don't forget about the @hivebuzz World Cup contest https://peakd.com/hive-102201/@hivebuzz/wc2022
Stay tuned for my post tomorrow where I will be breaking down the Netherlands vs Argentina match.
Feel free to drop a comment if you're happy/sad that Brazil is out.
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I think the results of this world cup unexpected. Very sensational world cup this have been. Qatar made this historic. No doubt every team is playing with full strength hope so the result will be in the favour or that team who will play best.
Croatia sure knows how to ruin a Brazilian party. The fans celebrated too early.
https://twitter.com/890770635630272512/status/1601563193574588417
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That's too fucking funny π€£π
This Croatian team were not even picked as one of the contenders despite been finalist in the last world cup but with the performance they've displayed am really impressed with it.
Croatia always being underestimated.
This match was really one of the most surprising matches. I expected Brazil to dominate the match, but it was a very open match. Still, I think Brazil deserved the match. Anyway, at least Argentina's opponent in the semifinals was easier. I mean, I hope so. If Croatia beats Argentina I might have a heart attack.
I really thought Brazil would score multiple goals before the first 90 minutes ended. Nope, Croatian defense and goalkeeping was too good. That and Brazil missed many great opportunities. I am really hoping Argentina can handle Croatia better than Brazil did.
I was also surprised on the outcome of the match. Well just like what you have said, nothing is guaranteed and anything can happen.
Brazil really thought they had won and let their guard down right at the end.
penalties are just a gamble!! that was a suspense ending!
It really is 50/50 who will score and who will make stops.
Croatia perfectly played the underdog and the team was quite disciplined. I wouldn't be surprised if they managed to reach the final again in this world cup. Argentina really have to be well prepared for them because they're not going out without a great fight.
They did very well to hold a deadly Brazil team scoreless for so long. If Argentina isn't careful, Croatia could ruin their chances of advancing to the finals.
Congratulations for this amazing win. Croatia team performance is very impressive. He deserves this win. And i also waiting for Croatia vs Argentina match. Hopefully both teams his 100 percent performance. People's like to watch close and interesting matches. Thanks for sharing your valuable review.
Croatia and Argentina both have a few days to recover and prepare for their most important match yet.
Iβm happy you enjoy reading my World Cup posts.
Croatia is heading to final
Could it be... Croatia vs France in the finals once again!
They're like..
CALL ME
:)
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I would have liked to see a Brazil vs Argentina but hey Croatia managed to advance on penalties for the second time in this World Cup
Me too, but Croatia held strong and now has a chance to make up for losing in the finals in 2018.
The reality is sad, but well, I think they underestimated Croatia a bit and at this point in the 4th final of a World Cup, it cannot be done. Each team has its merits and nobody gives anything away, there is something to earn on the pitch. No one wins for the shirt anymore
Brazil definitely thought they had this one in the bag. Croatia is not a team that should be slept on.
@tipu curate
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It will really be a hard feeling for Brazil to take in
Their country and players must be devastated.