Once more, Neymar will leave the World Cup empty-handed. The search for Luka Modric is unabated.
Croatia eliminated Brazil from the World Cup on Friday, defeating the five-time champions 4-2 in a shootout to advance to the quarterfinals for a second straight tournament. Modric scored one of Croatia’s penalties in the process.
Neymar gave Brazil the lead in extra time, tying Pele’s record for most goals scored for the national team. He did not, however, take a penalty shot in the shootout, instead breaking down in tears on the field at Education City Stadium as the Croatians in red and white celebrated.
Brazil scored thanks to Casemiro and Pedro, while Croatia also scored with penalties from Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, and Mislav Orsic.
Both goals were scored during the extra 30 minutes; Neymar’s goal gave Brazil the lead late in the first half of extra time, and Bruno Petkovic’s goal tied the score in the 117th minute.
Neymar Scored to tie Pele
Neymar scored to tie Pele for the most goals in Brazil history (77), but the forward was denied a major championship for Brazil once more, and Dani Alves had to comfort him after the game as he broke down in tears.
After losing the World Cup to France four years ago, Croatia will play Argentina next on Tuesday in an attempt to reach the championship game once more. In a penalty shootout, Argentina defeated the Netherlands.
For the first time since 2014, Brazil was attempting to get to the semifinals. Since hosting the competition eight years prior, when the Selecao was humiliated by Germany 7-1, the team hadn’t progressed that far.
For the first time since the 2002 final against Germany, when the team won for the final time, Brazil was attempting to defeat a European opponent in the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Early on, neither Modric nor Neymar could do anything to help their clubs have a chance because both teams were playing cautiously in attack and defence. After the break, Brazil improved and got closer to scoring.
Brazil’s Opening Game
After returning from an ankle injury received in Brazil’s opening game, Neymar started for the second game in a row. Neymar had some of his team’s finest opportunities, including a few close-range shots that Livakovic stopped.
Dalic stated of his keeper, “He was the difference on extremely key situations.” He was there to protect us,
Neymar reached a significant milestone by dribbling past Livakovic inside the box and shooting the ball into the goal. Petkovic scored with a left-footed drive that rebounded off Marquinhos and went past Alisson Becker as Brazil was on the verge of winning. Compared to Brazil’s 11, Croatia only managed one shot on goal.
“Words are difficult to come by. We are angry, “said Casemiro. “We had it in our hands, especially given how it occurred. It’s hard. We must attempt to go past this and elevate our heads.”
