Dream of six comes to an end: Brazil loses on penalties to Croatia
To be a six-time champion it was necessary not to be eliminated for the sixth time in the quarterfinal phase of the Qatar Cup And the 2022 team could not break this taboo. In the Education City Stadium, in the capital Doha, most of the 44,000 fans wore yellow. Even though not all were Brazilian, the preference was for Brazil to return to a World Cup semifinal after eight years. But fans do not win games.
In the first half, the Seleção wasted a lot of time studying the opponent. So much so that, only at 20 minutes, in an individual move by Neymar, Brazil bothered the Croatian defense. The shot, however, was weak and in the middle of the goal. The slowness characterized the first 45 minutes and the good marking on the intermediate made it difficult for the Seleção to infiltrate. In the 41st minute, Neymar took the ball in the back of the net, but his shot went wide of the goal.
In the 41st minute, Neymar took a curling free-kick, and again, goalkeeper Livakovic had no trouble finding the net. It was too little.
Thus, as if it were a chess game, the irritating 0-0 draw was maintained until the end of the first half, without anyone having a clear scoring opportunity and, most worryingly for Brazil, without the winger Raphinha being able to appear in the match. In five games in this Cup, it was the fourth time that the score remained blank during the first 45 minutes. The words of Tite and Zlatko Dalic in the locker rooms would be decisive to define the winner.
After the break, two minutes into the second half, Richarlison, in the small area, completed a low cross and goalkeeper Livakovic took it with his foot. In the 9th minute, again, Livakovic prevented a Neymar goal with his right foot. And, as expected, Tite took out the ineffective Raphinha and put in Antony; replaced Vinícius Júnior with Rodrygo; and swapped Richarlison for Pedro.
At 20 minutes, another wasted chance: Paquetá fought for the ball inside the area and Livakovic put it to the corner. In the 34th minute, it was Paquetá who shot low and Livakovic placed it firmly. Brazil was not inspired, but the changes improved the team, although not as Tite imagined. In other words, everything made it easier for the Croatians to score, especially the lack of shots from outside the area. On the other hand, it was visible that the Europeans were pushing the match to extra time.
Croatia's goal was achieved. Another half hour of play (something usual for Zlatko Dalic's team, which also faced extra time and penalties against Japan in the round of 16) and the match continued with the Brazilian attack line hitting the Croatian wall. Until, in the 15th minute of the first extra time, Neymar played together with Paquetá, received in front, dribbled Livakovic and shot high. It was Brazil's goal! 1 a 0!
In the second half of extra time, Croatia was the one who kept possession of the ball. After all, their players needed to attack for the first time in the entire game. And it wasn't hard for the runners-up to tie the match. In just 11 minutes they scored: a low cross from the left, Petkovic shot, the ball deflected off Marquinhos and beat Alisson: 1-1. Then came the penalties they wanted so badly.
Tite was wrong even in the order of the penalties. Neymar, the best penalty taker, was put to take only the fifth shot and ended up not even being used... Vlasic, Majer, Modric and Orsic scored four goals. Brazil wasted the first kick, with Rodrygo shooting at Livakovic's hands. Casemiro and Pedro still scored. Marquinhos hit it very badly, hitting the post. Croatia managed to do what they always do: they eliminated another team on penalties. In 2018, they beat Denmark and Russia that way. In 2022, it left behind Japan and Brazil. The hexa did not come, but the sixth elimination in the quarterfinals was consummated, as in 1954, 1986, 2006, 2010, 2018.
In the penalty shootout, Croatia won 4-2, goals by Vlasic, Majer, Modric and Orsi, against one by Casemiro and another by Pedro. Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed their kicks
Datasheet:
BRAZIL 1 x 1 CROATIA
Location: Doha (Qatar)
Judge: Michael Oliver (England)
Audience: 43,893
Brazil: Alisson, Danilo, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Éder Militão (Alex Sandro); Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá (Fred) and Neymar; Richarlison (Pedro), Raphinha (Antony) and Vinícius Júnior (Rodrygo). T: Tite.
Croatia: Livakovic, Lovren, Sosa (Budimir), Gvardiol and Juranovic; Kovacic (Majer), Modric and Brozovic (Orsic); Perisic, Kramaric (Petkovic) and Pasalic (Vlasic). T: Zlatko Dalic.
Goals: In extra time: In the 1st half: Neymar (15). In the 2nd half: Petkovic (11).
Note: On penalties, Croatia won by 4 to 2, goals from Vlasic, Majer, Modric and Orsi, against one by Casemiro and another by Pedro. Rodrygo and Marquinhos wasted their kicks.
