World Cup 2022 – Croatia 1-1 Brazil AET (4-2 on pens): Croatia stun five-time world champions in dramatic penalty shootout win

Croatia stunned five-time world champions Brazil with a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win at the Education City Stadium to book a place in the World Cup semi-finals – one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.

Brazil looked to be labouring to an extra-time win over their stubborn opponents thanks to a moment of magic from forward Neymar, who wrote himself into Brazilian folklore by drawing level on 77 international goals with one of the nation’s all-time greats Pele.

Croatia probed, pragmatically, throughout while restricting and stifling Brazil’s usual rhythm before succumbing to Neymar’s brilliance in the first half of extra-time – it was very nearly checkmate.

However, there was a late twist in the enchanting tale when Bruno Petkovic latched onto Mislav Orsic’s cross, benefitting from a cruel Marquinhos deflection which wrong-footed Alisson, to net the latest equalising goal scored in a World Cup game, taking the quarter-final to penalties.

Croatia, who needed two shootouts and an extra-time win to reach the final in 2018, kept their composure as Brazil’s Marquinhos and Rodrygo failed to convert, while Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Luka Modric and Orsic completed a perfect set of spot-kicks, ensuring progression to the last four of the tournament. “We eliminated the biggest favourites,” manager Zlatko Dalic said afterwards.

Croatia have now reached at least the semi-finals on all three occasions they have made it safely out of the World Cup group stage (1998, 2018 and 2022).

They will face either Argentina or the Netherlands, who play later on Friday night, for a place in the final. The winner of the first quarter-final match at both the 2014 and 2018 editions of the World Cup went on to win the tournament – could that be a telling omen for the 2018 runners-up?

How Croatia foiled the favourites

Late in the second half, with the score locked at 0-0, Brazil head coach Tite paced the touchline cautiously, looking pensive and concerned. His consternation was altogether justified.

Brazil entered this match with the same status and expectation they began the tournament with – firm favourites. A casual start to the game planted a small seed of doubt, with Croatia operating in a typically stubborn and mulish manner, but very few would have predicted the ensuing drama.

The five-time world champions’ odds had continued to shorten as the tournament progressed, but suddenly they find themselves eliminated – now exiting from four of their last five World Cup quarter-finals.

Their particularly impressive show of flair and finesse, on display in spades against South Korea in their round-of-16 tie, had all but deserted them until Neymar sparked into life in extra-time.

Brazil’s frustration was finally channeled into positive play by their chief creative catalyst, as Neymar pierced through the heart of Croatia’s otherwise sturdy defensive line, playing a neat one-two with Lucas Paqueta before dancing around the goalkeeper and lashing into the roof of the net – no samba, but still plenty of celebration.

Enter Croatia’s talisman Modric, making his 160th international appearance in a career which has spanned 16 years. There must be something in the water in the Adriatic, because after coming through a gruelling last-16 tie against Japan on penalties, the plucky Europeans were determined to roll the dice once again.

Modric waited until the 117th minute to initiate a rare Croatia attack, finding Orsic on the move, who in turn fed Petkovic. The substitute was unmarked but failed to connect properly with the strike, profiting from a fortuitous nick off Marquinhos. Croatia are the first side on record (since 1966) to score with their first shot on target, when it arrived in extra-time.

They then came out on top in the shootout with Dominik Livakovic saving Rodrygo’s spot-kick and Marquinos hitting the post, leaving Neymar and co in tears and Croatia still dreaming of their first world title.

“This is for the Croatian people,” Dalic declared. “A great match from the first minute to the last. This is not the end for us, let’s keep going.

“This is a victory for all of us, everyone gave their best. Thanks also to those on the bench, who also live for this national team.”

Analysis: Juranovic goes full Cafu to terrorise Brazil

Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:

When you think of watching Brazil play at a World Cup, flying full-backs come to mind. That was the case in this classic quarter-final but it was not a yellow shirt doing the flying it was Josip Juranovic of Croatia. It was a performance akin to those the great Cafu used to produce for Brazil. The Celtic player was a man possessed on this great stage, offering his side an attacking outlet while also containing Brazil’s array of talent when they ventured into his territory.

He gave Brazil a taste of what was to come on 13 minutes when scampering clear down the right and providing a quality cross which was not made the most of by Ivan Perisic. Danilo then tried the forceful approach to stop him by aggressively lunging in with a high boot which drew the Brazilian a booking before another surging run from the full-back set Perisic up for another effort which flew off target.

A key example of his defensive brilliance was showcased by the fact Vinicius Junior was substituted in the second half. It looked a key tactic for Brazil to get the ball quickly to the Real Madrid wide man but that avenue was sterilised by some terrific one-on-one defending from Juranovic.

With full-back Alistair Johnston’s arrival at Celtic, it looks as though the Scottish team are already planning for life after Juranovic. Atletico Madrid have been reportedly linked, but you would assume many more suitors will be sniffing around after a performance of this magnitude. In 120 minutes Juranovic’s price tag may have just trebled.

Analysis: Brazil felled as Tite dances last dance

Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:

It was prime-time Luka Modric. The one who can wriggle free of danger, execute laser-like precision passes and intelligently control the pace and tempo of games at will. We got to see the full repertoire of one of this era’s greatest midfield maestros, in a game that was largely decided by the stubbornness of Croatia’s middle third.

Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic ran the show, almost passively. They nullified Brazil’s usual threats. They disturbed and disrupted Brazil’s rhythm. And they epitomised Croatia’s conscientious game plan. Casemiro was barely in it.

One moment of Neymar magic originally lit up the tie, equalling Pele’s record as Brazil’s all-time leading men’s scorer (77) in the meantime, but otherwise Tite’s side were found severely wanting. Relying purely on historic success is a fool’s game. No one team, or nation, possess footballing immortality. Brazil have been eliminated from four of their last five World Cup quarter-finals.

Another unwanted record; they have simultaneously become the first side in World Cup history to be eliminated from a knockout match after scoring the opening goal during extra-time.

It’s hard to understand how a side that dazzled so tantalisingly against South Korea on Monday, can come up so short four days’ later. But that’s tournament football. In recent years, Croatia’s major tournament record eclipses that of Brazil, spelling the end of Tite’s six-year reign. “My cycle is over,” he conceded.

Modric of course had the decency to console Real Madrid team-mate Rodrygo – who missed a penalty – at the final whistle.

No more samba. But plenty more Modric.

What’s next?

Croatia came through their second straight shootout after also beating Japan on penalties in the last-16 to book a date with either Netherlands or Argentina in the semi-finals in Qatar.

Semi-final fixtures

Tuesday December 13
Netherlands or Argentina vs Croatia – kick-off 7pm

Wednesday December 14
England or France vs Morocco or Portugal – kick-off 7pm