How did Croatia knock out Brazil from the World Cup?

However, that battle appeared to be over near the end of the first extra period, when Neymar completed his shot with lightning speed and went on to score, giving Brazil a well-deserved, if delayed, lead. Its fans exhale. Her nation did, too. But Croatia answered that too: a counterattack in the 117th minute, a pass from nowhere into the middle, a powerful shot from Bruno Petkovic deflected to level the score.

It was only then that the team’s World Cup quarter-final, scoreless after two halves and no longer so after two periods of extra time, reached where a lot of Croatia’s matches now end: a penalty shootout.

By then even the Brazilians might have sensed the end that was about to come.

Four Croats stepped up and one after another calmly beat penalty kicks. Two of the Brazilians – Rodrygo, who went first, and Markinhos, who went last – did not.

In this way, the World Cup in Brazil ended.

Can hardly believe it. Marquinhos fell to his knees just in front of the penalty spot and then rested his forehead on the grass. Neymar, who was unable to shoot, put his hands to his face in midfield, then raised and bit his collar, giving him an incredulous look. Thiago Silva came over and gave him a kiss on the check. Daniel Alves arrived with a hug. A tear fell on Neymar’s cheek.

On the other side of the field, babbling Croatians sprinted in every direction around goalkeeper Dominik Levakovic, who saved a Rodrygo penalty and forced Marquinhos to try and cut his moose.

Croatia, who have so far taken five extra-time knockout matches in two past World Cups and survived them all, are forging ahead. The undefeated team will face the winner of Friday’s second game between Argentina and the Netherlands in the semi-finals next week. Set aside some extra time if you plan to watch.

Brazil will have loved their chances going into Friday’s game. He had achieved victories in the first two group matches, and managed his team in the third match, while Neymar missed out on an ankle injury he sustained in his first match in Qatar. A 4-1 win over South Korea in the round of 16 put expectations high again.

Croatia had frustrated the Brazilians, but substitutions and one moment of brilliance seemed to have finally turned the deadlock in the latter’s favour. The play that set up Brazil’s goal came after an extended period when they emerged and put pressure on the tired Croats. It started with Neymar’s speed right into the penalty area, and then included a quick exchange of passes A game of full surrender and speed with Lucas Paquetá.

Neymar who started the play, finished it off by slashing two defenders, rounded the goalkeeper, and lifted his shot up the goal. His goal, 105 minutes into the toughest game played by Neymar and his co-stars in this World Cup, ignited a wild celebration in the stands and next to Croatia’s goal, and produced a palpable sense of relief for the team whose only goal was every time. The World Cup is to win it.

But Croatia is not easy to get out. Denmark and Russia (on penalties) and England (after extra time) learned this in 2018, and Japan (on penalties) dealt the same finish on Monday.

Croatia are not very defensive but they are very organized and intelligent. Luka Modric, the 37-year-old captain, dominated the midfield, and centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol allowed the Brazil forwards to take short, rare looks at Levakovic’s goal.

Brazil cannot say that it has not tried everything. When Vinicius Jr., Richarlison and Rafina could not find a way past Levakovic, Anthony, Rodrigo and Pedro were sent to try. When Neymar finally found a way through, the lead only lasted about 15 minutes, the pressure was back on, and the exit door loomed.

The Croatian’s penalty shootout was as clinical as its broader performance was methodical. Nikola Vlasic went to the left. Lavro Mager dropped the middle. Modric went high. Mislav Orsic went low. Brazil came out.

Soon the field was filled with color trying to sort out what had happened. Dressed in yellow, standing still or sitting to one side, Brazilians have resigned themselves to the fact that the country will now have to wait another four years to add to its record tally of five World Cup titles.

The Croatian red and white celebration was everywhere by then, a random sea of ​​flags, hugs and kids running all over the field. One of Modric’s offspring jumped into his arms. Lovren took one if his children on one hand. And in midfield, Leonardo and Manuela Perisic, sons of Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic, made a honeyed line for the center circle, and Neymar, wrapped in a tearful embrace with a teammate.

An employee from Brazil stepped in to avoid Leonardo and extended his arm to suggest that it might not be the right time. But Leonardo caught the eye of Neymar, and the Brazilian turned towards him. The boy and the star shook hands and exchanged a quick word. Then they parted, and the boy ran back to the Croatian festivities, and Neymar ran towards the dressing room, heading for another long wait.