CROATIA VS. BRAZIL HIGHLIGHTS | 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP
Croatia and Brazil faced off in the Quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The first half was a slow one, as both teams seemed to be feeling each other out. Brazil got a couple of shots on goal but nothing went through. The second half was more of the same with multiple Brazilian shots on goal but nothing would go through. That would all change in extra time when Neymar would put the team on his back and scored in 105’ + 1’. Croatia said not so fast and evened up the score Bruno Petkovic scored in 117’. Croatia would go on to win in PKs and would advance.
Post-match mailbag. “C’mon Croatia our boys have been great and deserve to go through. Our keeper is a champion. I’m especially proud of him and the rest of the boys. Croatia were outclassed by Neymar, but the equaliser was inevitable. We did it!” – Kat Stolica
“As a Croatian, obviously I can’t be happier! But, the bigger point is: almost inevitably, people perennially underestimate us. Well, by now they should know better! Kind regards from jubilant Croatia!” – Tino Andic
“Poor match management from Brazil. How do you get caught so badly on a counter attack when you are leading with a couple of minutes to go?” – Michael Hayen
“Neymar scores the best goal of the tournament and 40 minutes later he is out! A big loss for the tournament” – Philip Murphy
“Brazil deserve to go home. Give them a medal for dancing” – Jeff Sachs
“Roy Keane is going to be insufferable isn’t he?” – Zafar Sobhan
“Frederick Freaking Forsyth. Wow. Whew” – Eric Peterson (second-half kick-off)
There seems to be a general sense of disbelief in the stadium.
Many of the Brazil fans remain in situ, perhaps to sportingly congratulate Croatia as the delighted victors pose with their flag for a squad photo. Or maybe they’re just in shock. Brazil surely thought they’d made it to the semis, with Neymar and Antony doing the professional thing in running the clock down. But then, with Fred preparing to break through the Croatian back line, Joško Gvardiol made a crunching tackle, Luka Modric sent his team off on one last counter … and here we all are. What a World Cup story this is! One for the ages … but one that could take Brazil some getting over. Neymar is in floods. Absolutely stricken with grief. He crumples to the floor and it takes Thiago Silva some effort to haul him up and into his arms. It’s lovely to watch Croatia celebrate; it’s not so easy watching Brazil come to terms with what’s happened.
Croatia cavort in delight!
They’ve done a number on the pre-tournament favourites. Luka Modric smiles beatifically. Neymar stares at a point approximately one thousand yards into the distance. What a goal he scored! One that so nearly took his country one step closer to that elusive sixth title! But Brazil will have to wait at least another four years to slake a thirst that stretches back to 2002.
The Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan falls quiet, the Croatian fans apart. The majority within had wanted Brazil to win … but they haven’t got their way. On the BBC, Mark Chapman observes that the “air has gone out of this stadium big time.” A lot of footage of Brazilian fans in tears. You’ll be seeing that replayed over and over again for the next four years at least.
