Croatia stuns Brazil in 2022 World Cup

Brazil was five minutes away from the 2022 World Cup semifinal on the strength of a beautiful goal by Neymar in extra time. Then, Croatia happened.

The Croatians shocked Brazil on Friday, sending the 2022 World Cup favorite home in a thrilling penalty kick finish.

“We have demonstrated what Croatia is, what the Croatia team is,” coach Zlatko Dalic said. “We are a small country and we won against the greatest favorites at the World Cup.”

It marked the third time in the tournament the Croats won via penalty shootout, and easily the biggest thus far.

“It feels like a nightmare. It’s hard to believe this is happening,” said Neymar, who kept his future with the national team open after the defeat.

The sides traded goals in extra time — Neymar executing a give-and-go to tie Pele’s record for Brazilian goals and Bruno Petkovic evening the score in the 115th minute.

The Croatian side was picture perfect when it went to penalties, scoring on all four shots while goalie Dominik Livakovic made a key stop on Brazil’s opening salvo. Marquinhos had Livakovic beat on Brazil’s fourth attempt, but his shot bounced off the post and sealed the Croatia win.

“He was the difference in crucial moments that saved us,” Dalic said of his goalie. “He saved the first penalty and gave us confidence and a lack of confidence for the rival because they were afraid he would save them again. He made a difference through the whole match.”

Livakovic has made a stellar case as Croatia’s MVP in Qatar to this point. He has made 20 saves in the tournament — including those made during penalty kicks — and became the first goalie to make 10 saves in a game this World Cup. Three saves came in the penalty shootout in the Round of 16, in which the Croats eliminated Japan, earning Livakovic Man of the Match honors for his efforts.

“We are raised as fighters, giving our best,” Livakovic said. ”And that’s the recipe for success.”

Croatia became the first team to move on to the World Cup semifinals and will face Argentina — winners over Netherlands in penalty kicks as well — for the right to advance to the final.

Though possession was 50-50 throughout regular play and extra time, Brazil had their share of chances and then some, putting 11 shots out of 21 on goal compared to one shot out of nine on goal for Croatia.

AFP via Getty Images

REUTERS

Advertisement

AFP via Getty Images

Getty Images

Advertisement

For about 12 minutes of game time, it was Neymar’s moment. The 30-year-old Brazilian superstar weaved his way toward the goal with a series of short passes to his teammates before dribbling around Livakovic and roofing the ball into the empty net for a 1-0 lead shortly after the start of the second half in extra time.

Brazil, which had been dominant in all its games, looked ready for the semifinals.

But Croatia didn’t let the moment get away from them, countering with Pekovic’s tally and persevering in penalties to make their third semifinal in the last seven World Cups.

Four years ago, Croatia won its first two knockout stage games on penalties, eliminating Denmark and then host nation Russia before advancing to the final by beating England in extra time. This year, the Balkan side beat Japan on penalties and have now knocked out the favorites on penalties to advance to their second straight semifinals.

— With AP