Five-time champions Brazil, favourites heading into the World Cup in Qatar, were knocked out by a resilient Croatia in a staggering quarterfinal game, which went right down to the wire.
The first ninety minutes of the game did not see too many goal-threatening chances from either side, except in the last ten minutes, when the Selecao desperately put numbers forward in search of a decisive goal. However, the 2018 runners-up were able to resist the Brazilian attacks, as the game headed into extra time.
Towards the end of the first period of extra time, a magnificent piece of close control from Neymar allowed him a one-two inside the box, following which he went past three defenders, rounded a helpless Dominik Livakovic and scored from the most ridiculous angle to give his side what seemed like the match-winning lead at the time.
It was also the PSG superstar’s 77th international goal for Brazil, equalling the legend Pele. However, the gritty Croatians committed themselves, and managed to score a goal in the dying embers to keep their dream alive in stunning fashion. Bruno Petkovic, who had an excellent game till that point, was the saviour for Zlatko Dalic’s men, as they took the quarterfinal to a penalty shootout.
Rodrygo missed his penalty first up, while the Croatians converted four successive penalties. Pedro and Casemiro converted their spot kicks, while Brazil relied on Alisson to save the fifth from the 2018 finalists, in the event that Marquinhos could find the back of the net with his effort. The PSG centre-back was unable to do so, as his shot rattled against the post, with Brazil crashing out of the tournament. Neymar was unable to even take a penalty in the shootout.
A distraught Neymar hinted at possible retirement from the national team following their exit. The attacker was non-committal, saying that he was not walking away, but could not confirm if he would return either.
“I am not closing any doors on the national team, but I am also not guaranteeing 100 percent that I will return. I need to think a bit more about this, about what is right for me and for the national team.”
“It is an awful feeling, I think this is a worse feeling than what happened at the last World Cup. It is difficult to find the words to describe this moment. We fought, and I am proud of my teammates, proud of the character they showed to step up and take penalties.”
