Izuchukwu Okosi
World Cup favourites Brazil Friday evening were dumped out of the 2022 tournament in Qatar by 2018 finalists Croatia 4-2 on penalties after the contest ended 1-1 draw in 120 minutes reports Prime Business Africa.
The five-time champions piled lots of pressure on the Europeans who kept a disciplined defensive shape to counter the numerous goal scoring chances that came the way of Tite’s men.
Croatia had a chance early on as Juranovic drove at the Brazil defence and offloaded to Pasalic down the right flank. He whipped in a perfect ball into the six-yard box where Ivan Perisic attempted to guide the ball home, but he miscued his effort wide of the left post amid presure from Militao.
In the 20th minute, Vincius Junior played a sublime one-two with Richarlison in the box and shot on his right foot, but Gvardiol made a brilliant block to prevent his goalbound strike hitting the target.
Brazil kept the pressure on and Neymar cut inside from the left flank to shoot on his right foot. But, his effort is tame and straight at Croatian keeper Livakovic-Slavic
Croatia had their own few fair chances but in the second half went completely defensive and waited patiently to catch the South Americans on the counter.
Two minutes into the second half, Viniciois Junior and Neymar jnr combined to cause the Croats all manners of problems inside the box.
There was a VAR check for a possible penalty but referee Michael Oliver eventually waved ‘play on’ much to the relief of the Europeans.
There was a VAR check for a possible penalty but referee Michael Oliver eventually waved ‘play on’ much to the relief of the Europeans.
With 15 left of normal time on the clock, a great save by Croatia goalkeeper denied Neymar just on the edge of the box.
After 90 minutes Brazil thought they had won it when Neymar scored a terrific goal after good exchanges with his teammates at the end of the first half of extra time but Bruno Petkovic popped up in the 117th minute to send the game to penalty kicks.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero again (during the game and penalty kicks) as he saved Rodrygo’s spot kick, then Marquinhos hit the post as Croatia dispatched all four of their penalties.
The clinical edge was lacking in Brazil’s play despite having much of the ball possession.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
