I’m writing this in the hour between the end of this match and the start of Netherlands vs Argentina.
Brazil’s lineup is unchanged from the one that started against South Korea, with the right-footed Danilo preferred over Alex Sandro at left-back.
For Croatia, Sosa is back in the eleven after recovering from a virus. Palasic starts instead of Petkovic.
Both teams shared possession equally as they played a conservative first half, a common theme in this tournament.
Croatia struggled to enter the attacking third and had zero shots on target in regulation time. Perisic was kept quiet, and both starting and substitute striker and right-winger created little threat. Croatia are missing a Mario Mandzukic.
Brazil had the luxury of like-for-like substitutions of Antony and Rodrygo for Raphinha and Vinicius Jr.
With Croatia tiring, Brazil besieged Croatia in the later part of the game, racking up many good chances in the penalty area which were repeatedly repelled remarkably by the excellent Livakovic, who is Man of the Match.
Antony the dirty cheat should have had a yellow card to his name for flinging himself to the ground under no contact at all.
With Croatia’s poor attack and Brazil’s abundance of options on the bench, Croatia seemed destined for a quarter-final exit after Neymar’s individual brilliance finally got his side a goal. But in the 117th minute Petkovic scored from a deflection. Croatia’s first shot on target brought us to a penalty showdown.
Croatia scored all their penalties, Livakovic saved Rodrygo’s, and Brazilian hearts were broken as Marquinhos hit the post with a penalty he had to score. Croatia enter the semi-finals, winning a penalty shootout again.
BLOGOPUS 