Croatia have pulled off another sensation at a shock-laden World Cup, battling past tournament favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals after a dramatic late comeback in extra-time and then a penalty shoot-out.
The 2018 finalists defied the odds once again, winning 4-2 on penalties on Friday to reach the semi-finals after the match had finished 1-1 over 120 minutes.
After the game, Brazil’s coach Tite confirmed he would exit the post, keeping a pre-tournament promise to do so if they didn’t lift the trophy.
Croatia came through their second consecutive shoot-out after also beating Japan on penalties in the last-16 and they’ll now face either the Netherlands or Argentina who play each other later on Friday.
In an evening filled with tension and drama, Brazil superstar Neymar thought he had won the game when he rifled in an extra-time goal for the five-time world champions.
But Croatia substitute Bruno Petkovic’s left-footed equaliser three minutes from the end of extra-time drew his side level, breaking Brazilian hearts in Doha’s Education City Stadium.
Dominik Livakovic celebrates the win via a penalty shootout. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
“This is just for the Croatian people,” said overjoyed coach Zlatko Dalic. “A great match from the first minute to the last. We eliminated the biggest favourites. This is not the end for us, let’s keep going!”
“I am overjoyed that we, with a three and a half million population, are entering the semi-finals for the second time in a row. I will tell everyone now to say, ‘we are not normal’.”
The Croats kept their composure from the penalty spot but Brazil’s Rodrygo had his penalty saved by goalkeeping hero Dominik Livakovic, who’d also been brilliant over the previous two hours, before Marquinhos could only hit the post.
Brazilians distraught, Tite quits
“It’s difficult. You have to lift your head,” Brazil captain Thiago Silva said. “I’m very proud of the boys and what we’ve done, but unfortunately, it’s part of football. When we lose something important that we had as a goal, it hurts a lot.
“But now it’s time to try to lift my head and carry on. There’s no other alternative. I’m a guy that every time I fall, I get up.”
With two Brazil penalty misses, Neymar never got to take a spot kick, but coach Tite defended the decision to put Neymar fifth.
“The fifth is the decisive one,” he told reporters. “There is more pressure, and the players who are better prepared should take this one.”
Midfielder Casemiro, who scored for the five-times champions in the shootout, said: “We are sad, we are sure that everyone in the group gave their best.
“We were upset by the way it happened. It was in our hands, and it slipped away,” he added, before reflecting philosophically: “Now it’s time to keep calm and life must go on.”
Tite, who quit his post after he had previously said he was stepping down at the end of this tournament, railed at suggestions the Brazilians had been disorganised, telling one reporter: “Disorganised? It is because of you, not because of me.
“I do not agree we were disorganised. We put high pressure at the front and tried to retain the game with Pedro.
“I respect the result. These things happen sometimes in football,” he added, before defending his decision to return to the changing room and not stay on the pitch with his distraught players as they cried in the arena.
“When we also won different matches I did not stay on the field of play. Have you seen me celebrating in other instances?
“That’s not my style. The players know how proud I am of their performance.
“Time will tell what my legacy is.”
Thriller of a match
Croatia had initially refused to be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents and in the first half successfully stifled most Brazil moves early.
Apart from a weak Vinicius Jr. shot, Brazil had little else to offer in terms of attack with Neymar off the pace and shut out by a hard-working backline.
It was Croatia who looked sharper, more skilled in their passing game and with a precise game plan, and by the end of the first half they had the upper hand in terms of possession.
It was a different story after the break when, first, Josko Gvardiol tried to clear the ball but almost turned it into his own goal.
Seconds later, claims for a hand ball by defender Josip Juranovic were shot down following a VAR review before Neymar was sent through by Richarlison in the 55th minute only to have his close-range effort blocked by Livakovic.
The Brazilians, who have now lost four of their last five World Cup quarter-finals all to European opposition, came close again in the 66th when Lucas Paqueta was denied by Livakovic.
The Croatia keeper also stopped Neymar in the 76th and by that time had more saves in the match – seven- than his Brazil counterpart, Alisson, had in the entire tournament (five).
In stoppage time of the first period of extra time, Neymar, largely lacklustre until then, launched an attack outside the box, played two consecutive one-twos to bamboozle the tired Croatian defence and then rounded the keeper to equal Brazil great Pele’s record of 77 international goals.
But the Croats refused to surrender with Petkovic’s equaliser forcing penalties and coming out on top in the shootout with Livakovic the toast of this remarkable little footballing nation.
For Brazil and Neymar, though, there were only tears. “It is hard to have words at the moment there,” said Brazil captain Thiago Silva.
“When we lose something important that we had as a goal, it hurts a lot. Unfortunately as a player, I won’t be able to raise this cup,” added the 38-year-old.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
I bow to the ‘expert’ lololol. You obviously have no idea on any sport! You know Jack$hit mate!
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
I give you facts and you reply back like a child?..... Right Stick to all the other sports you post on, you may have some idea of those. Unlike the one you are currently trying to be slick commenting on
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
You talk to much rubbish mate! I know as much as you do on ‘that part of the world’…..Western media lololol. Let’s all believe & listen to your media!
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Wow you most definitely must be ‘initiated’ & whatever your profound experience shows Croatia is still & always will be better than your Serbia lololol….
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
you're another poster that tries to contradict everything i say, last conversation i had with you was about a part of the world you know nothing about. (dont just sprout stuff that the western media says) this is the problem with 'know it alls 'that think they know what they're talking about. none of the players you mentioned are 'youth' players
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
its not my job to educate the uninitiated, but when you say things that arent even remotely close to the truth. croatia has the 10th oldest team at this world cup, they are 1 year younge average in age than the oldest team - they also do no have an average age of 25.
sportstar111
Roar Rookie
croatia haven't got superstar youth? gvardiol, sucic, baturina, beljo, simic, vidovic hahaha. much better youth than serbia. take off your rose tinted glasses TSS
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Another huge upset. Morocco makes WC history by defeating Portugal 1-0.
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
Yeah I'd nominate the second Dutch goal as superior. The pressure of the situation, the guile and cunning to consider it, and then the execution. That was something pretty special, and for me, outshone the individual brilliance of Neymar or Messi.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Lololol…..if that’s what you think! Excuses excuses….Talent wise Serbia are nowhere near Croatia. Btw apart from a few players Croatia have an average age of 25 mate…..kind of defeats you saying one of the oldest teams. Serbia never have & never will deliver on the world state. Best games Lolol. Get over yourself mate!
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
Scout do you know whether it is cheap or expensive for youngsters in Croatia or Serbia to play the game? (I have read plenty of criticism of the cost to parents for their kids trying to develop in Australia.)
Nick Symonds
Guest
Switzerland = 8.7 million New South Wales = 8.2 million > NSW + ACT = 8.6 million Serbia = 6.8 million Denmark = 5.9 million Sydney = 5.3 million Costa Rica = 5.1 million Uruguay = 3.5 million Croatia = 3.9 million Iceland = 372,295 Qatar = 2.9 million (313,000 Qatari citizens) - Note: If Sydney was a country it would be the 120th largest in the world out of 234 while Iceland comes in at 181 and Australia at 55. Also, 4 of the top 5 largest are in the AFC. Top 5 largest nations: China India America Indonesia Pakistan Next world cup host prediction: Iceland
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'm a big fan of all things Croatia. They are the Australia of Europe. I hope they go all the way.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
never said what my heritage was, i speak several languages fluently - could be anyone of them :silly: serbia and croatia develope players exactly the same, theres no big difference between either country that stands out. I havent been to croatia in several years, not since i was detained at the airport for a couple of hours when my credentials were questions (long story haha) go through both squads player for player - serbias players are at better clubs, but they struggle to gel together at international level this generation (last 8 years) of croatian players have over achieved, while serbia in the same period have drastically under achieved the big difference is this is croatias last hurrah, they are one of the oldest teams at the world cup and several players wont be at the next euros and world cup they havent got the superstar youth coming through, which is completly opposite like serbia have currently croatia are just a more galvanisted unit, plain and simple - serbias issues at national team level has always been its mentallity. players get would up far too easily when it comes to politics of the area and theres always infighting (the gossip rags in europe ran a story of an affair between players as the tournament started) several members of the current squad all came in carrying injuries as well then you factor in how fractured the FA is, lots of agendas at play there especially in terms of corruption - and you can see fom the top to the playes no one is alligned. its no coincidence the 2 best games at this world cup had serbia involved, also no coincidence the best attacking football seen at the world cup was serbia in that first half against cameroon. one touch, free flowing football with lots of movment, all 10 outfield players rushing forward - but it leaves them wide open at the back all the time
Grem
Roar Rookie
I do understand that, but more government support and different methods of talent identification and development would certainly help us. As you’ve written before, we need to look at other countries than we presently do.
Grem
Roar Rookie
That’s not what I wrote. Don’t put words to me that I didn’t write.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
Democracy and free choice aren't really values you cherish eh? You really want to force everyone to adhere to your view on things
AGO74
Guest
Roy Keane will be happy!
AGO74
Guest
So why do Croatia consistently do so well in tournament football when compared to say Serbia who with the possible exception of an ageing Modric have similar quality of player? This is a genuine question- not a shot at (what I understand) is your heritage. Interested to hear your views.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
Croatia have never been a pretty team to watch, all the players are technically very good though and tactically they are coached very well