AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Neymar goes home without World Cup again Title. Luka Modric’s quest continues unabated.
Modric converted one of the penalties as Croatia knocked Brazil out of the World Cup on Friday, beating the five-time champions 4-2 and reaching the semi-finals for the second time in a row.
Neymar tied Pele’s record for most goals for the national team and led Brazil in extra time. But he wasn’t one of his four Brazilians to take a penalty in the shootout, instead breaking into tears on the field at the Education City stadium as Croatians dressed in red and white celebrated. was
”It’s a nightmare.
Brazil coach Tite said he received his fifth penalty saving his best player.
“It’s the player under the most pressure, and he’s going to be the player with the highest quality mental preparation to shoot,” Tait said.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Rybaković saved Rodrigo’s first penalty attempt, with Marquinhos hitting the post. Rybaković had already produced some crucial stops as the team drew 0-0 in regulation and 1-1 in extra time.
“We were raised to be fighters and we’re doing our best,” Rybakovic said. “And that’s the secret to success.”
Five of Croatia’s last six games at the World Cup have gone to extra time, including a penalty shootout victory over Japan in Round 16 in Qatar. The team has had success in eight of his last ten knockout matches in the tournament.
Croatia have been on the back foot in every knockout stage match in 2018, including two eliminations in Qatar.
“We have a strong character and we don’t give up,” said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.
Nikola Vlasic, Lobro Mayer and Mislav Orsic also scored from the penalty spot for Croatia, while Casemiro and Pedro scored for Brazil.
Both goals were awarded in the extra 30 minutes, first by Neymar to give Brazil the lead late in the first half of extra time, then by Bruno Petkovic to equalize in the 117th.
Neymar’s goal equalized Pele, who was Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 77 goals, but the forward was again unable to win a major title in Brazil and veteran defender Dani Alves had to be comforted by He cried after the game.
Croatia will next face Argentina or the Netherlands to return to the World Cup final for the first time in four years after losing the title to France.
Brazil were looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2014. The team had not gone that far since Seleção held the tournament eight years before his 7–1 loss to Germany.
For the first time since the team’s last win against Germany in the 2002 final, Brazil attempted to beat their European opponents in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Both Neymar and Modric played cautiously in attack and defense, unable to do much to create big chances for their teams early on. Brazil got better after half time and came close to scoring.
Neymar, who started two games in a row after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in Brazil’s opener, had some of the team’s best opportunities, including Rybakovic saving two close-range attempts. rice field.
“He made a difference in a very important moment,” said Dalic of the goalkeeper. “He was there to save us.”
Neymar dribbled past Rybakovic in the area and scored a landmark goal after firing a shot to the top of the net. Brazil were minutes after their win when Petkovic fired a left-footed shot that deflected Marquinhos and sent goalkeeper Alisson past his Becker. It was Croatia’s only attempt to target against Brazil’s 11th inning.
“It’s hard to find words. We are upset,” said Casemiro. “We had it on our hands, especially because of how it happened. It’s stiff. We have to keep our heads up and move on.”
Departure of TITE
It was Brazil’s last game under Tite, who had said he had no intention of staying in the national team before the World Cup started.
“It’s the end of the cycle,” Tait said. “The loss hurts, but I feel at peace with myself now.
___
Tales Azzoni’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup When https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
