Dominik Livakovic was the star of the show for Croatia with his 11 saves setting a new record for a Croatian goalkeeper at a World Cup match before denying Rodrygo Goes in the penalty-shoot out to secure a historic World Cup win.
The Croatians had a hard fought battle of resistance up against a Brazilian attack which was relentless but failed to convert in the first 105 minutes of action.
However, much of the battle came in the midfield where Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Internazionale’s Marcelo Brozovic and Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic combined to put up a real block of force.
Brazil’s struggles
For the South Americans, there was a lack of fluidity in the attack which provided a complete contrast to the free-flowing football we had seen to date in the tournament from Tite’s side.
The team had 15 shots within the first 90 minutes but could not find a way through, as reflected by Tite’s decision to change his front line so frequently.
Raphinha and Vinicius Junior were both hauled off around the hour mark, with Richarlison later coming off as Antony, Pedro and Rodrygo Goes were thrown into the action.
Neymar’s breakthrough
It was in the 105th minute when Brazil finally showed the glimpse of quality to find a way to break past Croatia with some individual brilliance from the one attacker who remained, Neymar.
He linked up with Lucas Paqueta from deep to pass and move, creating space before taking the ball beyond Livakovic to give his nation the lead on the stroke of half-time of extra time.
Croatia’s fightback
Their opponents did not surrender as Neymar celebrated, and with four minutes left on the clock, Bruno Petkovic made history as he fired a shot which deflected off Marquinhos and beyond Alisson.
Casemiro threw one last chance at the Croatian goal in the remaining minutes, but it was not enough and it took the tie to penalties.
Livakovic’s heroics continued
In the shoot-out, the first for Brazil proved decisive as Real Madrid forward Rodrygo saw his central effort denied by the in-form Croatian shotstopper.
Croatia’s takers of Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Luka Modric and Mislav Orsic all converted, and so when Marquinhos rocked the woodwork with his penlaty, it sent Brazil crashing out.
With a fourth consecutive penalty shoot-out win for the Croatians means it will now be them who will face either The Netherlands or Argentina in a World Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Culled from Marca
