Dejected players of Brazil react after losing the penalty shoot out and being eliminated. Photograph: Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty Images
Favorites Brazil have crashed out of the World Cup after losing 4-2 on penalties to Croatia.
Neymar’s goal on the stroke of half time in extra time had seemingly sent the Selecao on to the semfinals in Qatar but Bruno Petkovic converted with his side’s first shot on target of the match to send the match to penalties.
Dejected players of Brazil react after losing the penalty shoot out and being eliminated. Photograph: Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty Images
Croatia were faultless with their own efforts whilst Rodrygo saw his shot saved by the outstanding Dominik Livakovic.
Needing to score to keep Brazil in the competition, Marquinhos drove his effort against the post, extending his country’s wait for a sixth global crown to at least 24 years.
As for Croatia, a nation of just four million people, they are into a third semi final in the last six tournaments. They will face the winners of the quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Leave a Reply