Croatia emerged victorious once more in what was a tantalizingly close battle with 5 time former champions Brazil. The Croatian side displayed enormous fighting spirit to hold on till the last minute and progress through to the semi-finals by winning on penalties at the Education City Stadium.
The game started off with both sides keen on scoring but could not distinctively create proper chances either side of the pitch. There were a few close calls but both teams held on without losing their guard. There were a couple of half-chances for Brazil through Neymar and Vinicius Junior. Croatia were looking strong defensively but just could not find the punch up front in the field.
Brazil continued to attack in the second half. But Croatia would continue denying them. Dominik Livakovic was particularly stunning for Croatia at goal as he kept the incoming shots from going past him. There was constant pressure from the Brazilian forwards but the center-back combo of Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol were key in ensuring that they did not allow them past the line of defense.
Raphinha and Vinicius Junior came off for Brazil and they were replaced by Antony and Rodrygo. Croatia went onto make two changes too as Nikola Vlasic and Bruno Petkovic came on for Mario Pasalic and Andrej Kramaric.
But at the end of the 90, we had no goals to separate the two teams and we headed into extra time.
The first period of extra time would tell the same story as both sides failed to create an impact. But Brazil left it late as Neymar matched Pele’s all time goalscoring record for Brazil. A beautiful one-two with Paqueta saw him go around Livakovic to put it in for top of the net finish.
Despite conceding, Croatia displayed intent to score in the start of the second period of extra time. They made a couple of changes as Ante Budimir and Mislav Orsic came on for Borna Sosa and Marcelo Brozovic,
At a time where Croatia seemed like they were going to head home, came the all important strike. The men in red and white kept their World Cup hopes alive as Bruno Petkovic slotted home a left-footed strike that took a deflection and beat Alisson. A superb breakaway which led to the goal at an all important time.
In the end, penalties was what was going to settle the tie. Vlasic took the first for Croatia and sent it right down the middle past Alisson. Rodrygo was first up for Brazil but missed as he hit it straight to the path of the diving Livakovic. Lovro Majer wasted no time in repeating the same antics of Vlasic as he too slotted one down the middle. Casemiro up next for Brazil and he scored down the left corner. Modric up next for Croatia. The captain let down a powerful strike to the left as it was 3-1 to Croatia. Pedro took the next one for Brazil and he scored making it 3-2. Mislav Orsic with the next one for Croatia and he scored to make it 4-2. Marquinhos was handed the ball and he needed to score to keep Brazil alive. But the PSG man missed as he hit the post.
The game ended 1-1 with Croatia winning on penalties 4-2.
An amazing end to an amazing end as Croatia make the semis for the second year running. They will go on to face the winner of the match between The Netherlands and Argentina in the semi-finals.
Image credits: Twitter/FIFAWorldCup
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