Agency :
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic had said facing a Brazilian side firing on all cylinders in a World Cup quarterfinal was a terrifying prospect.
But the only terror seen at Education City Stadium on Friday was etched on the faces of the Selecao and their supporters along with shock and disbelief as gritty Croatia came back from 1-0 in extra-time to claim a 4-2 penalty shootout victory and with it a spot in the semi-finals.
“As to the penalty shootout we are fighters, we played our hearts out and that’s it,” said Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic, who was named man of the match. “We are experienced and we are raised as fighters.
“We spare no effort giving our best, and that is our recipe for success.”
“We are going one match at a time and see where it gets us.”
Where it has gotten Croatia is a spot in the last four and one win away from an immediate return to the tournament’s final.