The second-place finish at the Russia World Cup was historic, and Croatia’s performance here has been hard to fathom: the come-from-behind victory over Canada and grinding stalemate with Belgium in the group stage to qualify, then a stout and steady performance against Japan, the tournament’s Cinderella, to reach the last eight before Friday’s elimination of Brazil.
It feels as though Croatia should be tired — eight of their last nine knockout matches at major tournaments have required 120 minutes — but somehow they just keep rolling. Modric’s motor still purrs in the midfield, the defense has been brick sturdy and they seem to always find a way to meet the moment.
They’ll likely be underdogs against either Netherlands or Argentina but … would you pick against them at this point?
Player ratings (1 = worst, 10 = best)
Croatia: Dominik Livakovic 8, Josip Juranovic 8, Dejan Lovren 7, Josko Gvardiol 7, Borna Sosa 7, Luka Modric 8, Marcelo Brozovic 8, Mateo Kovacic 8, Mario Pasalic 7, Andrej Kramaric 6, Ivan Perisic 7.
Subs: Nikola Vlasic 6, Bruno Petkovic 7, Lovro Majer 6, Ante Budimir 6.
Brazil: Alisson 6, Eder Militao 8, Marquinhos 7, Thiago Silva 7, Danilo 7, Lucas Paqueta 7, Casemiro 7, Raphinha 6, Neymar 8, Vinicius Junior 6, Richarlison 6.
Subs: Antony 6, Rodrygo 6, Pedro 6, Fred 6, Alex Sandro 6.
Best and worst performers
BEST: Dominik Livakovic
It wasn’t quite the spotlight of the shootout against Japan, but the Croatian goalkeeper used his feet, his hands and whatever else he needed to blunt Brazil for most of the night and keep his team in the game.
WORST: Marquinhos
It feels cruel to tag him with this but when you miss the penalty that sends your team out of the competition, after being part of a defence that conceded so late in the game, it’s hard to look elsewhere. A brutal finish.
Highlights and notable moments
Neymar initiated an attack near the end of the first period of extra time, and finished off a stunning team move to score the opening goal.
WHAT A MOMENT 🙌
With this goal, Neymar equals Pelé’s all-time goal scoring record for Brazil 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/DE8IpsBf5N
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2022
But, despite Brazil scoring one of the goals of the tournament in extra time, Croatia’s late leveller took the match to penalties, where Marquinhos’ kick hit the post and sealed his team’s exit.
OFF THE POST
CROATIA WINS IT 😱ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· pic.twitter.com/N6BsJVP2PI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2022
After the match: What the players and managers said
Brazin midfielder Casemiro: “Losing always hurts, especially when you have a goal, a dream and you have worked toward it for years. Four years to this moment. That is why it is hard to find words right now. Now we have to pick our heads up. Life goes on. We are sad, I am certain that everyone in the group did their best. We are upset by the way it happened. It was in our hands and it slipped right through. It is a difficult moment. But we are calm and we know that life goes on.”
Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)
This was the 26th match to be 0-0 at half-time. Only the 1990 World Cup had more matches be 0-0 at half-time (28).
Domink Livakovic’s nine saves set a new record for a Croatia goalkeeper at a World Cup. Drazen Ladic made seven saves against Netherlands in the 1998 third-place playoff. Livakovic is tied with Poland‘s Wojciech Szczesny for most saves in a single match at the 2022 World Cup.
This was Croatia’s fifth World Cup match to go to extra time. In all, eight of Croatia’s last nine knockout matches at major tournaments have gone to extra time.
As well as equalling Pele’s haul of 77 goals, Neymar’s first open-play goal for his country since Since October 2021 saw him join Ronaldo as only Brazilian men to score multiple goals at three different FIFA World Cups.
Bruno Petkovic’s 117th minute equaliser was Croatia’s lates-ever goal at a world Cup, and the latest equaliser in World Cup history. It was also Croatia’s first shot on target.
Brazil had won three of their four previous World Cup shootouts, only losing against France in 1986.
Croatia have won all four of their World Cup penalty shootouts, going level with Germany as the teams with the most wins without losing a single shootout.
Brazil have been eliminated in five straight FIFA World Cup knockout stage games vs European opponents.
Croatia have advanced to the semifinals in all three of their FIFA World Cup quarterfinal appearances (1998, 2018, 2022).
Up next
Croatia: Modric & Co. will now be preparing for a huge semifinal clash against either Argentina or Netherlands on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Brazil: The Selecao head home without any international fixtures scheduled for 2023 as yet. Which is probably just as well, as this result will take some getting over.
