Croatia eliminates five-time champion Brazil in penalty kicks

Sports Desk :
Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, was eliminated in the quarterfinals Friday against Croatia. The top-ranked Brazilians were a heavy favourite to reach the semifinals, but Croatia scored a late equaliser in extra time and won in penalties. Croatia, which finished second at the 2018 World Cup, will face the Netherlands or Argentina on Tuesday.
In the fourth round, Croatia’s Mislav Orsic scored on a shot just inside the left post. Brazil’s Marquinhos hit the left post on his shot, and Croatia will advance to the semifinals, 4-2.
In the third round of penalty kicks, Croatia’s Luka Modric fooled Alisson and pocketed it into the left corner, while Pedro got it past Dominik Livakovic. Croatia is up, 3-2.
In the second round of the shootout, Croatia’s Lovro Majer scored on a shot straight down the middle as Alisson dove to his right. Brazil’s Casemiro answered with a goal in the left corner. Croatia leads, 2-1.
Croatia won the coin toss and kicked first, and Nikola Vlasic buried it into the center as Alisson dived away. Brazil’s Rodrygo is blocked by Dominik Livakovic, who is having a day.
Brazil and Croatia were headed to penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw that saw two goals in extra time. Croatia is a perfect 3 for 3 in World Cup matches that have gone to penalties, but Brazil also has won its past three matches in which they’ve been needed.
Croatia netted the equaliser in the 117th minute on a left-footed blast by Bruno Petkovic, who tucked his shot inside the goalpost and just beyond the reach of a diving Alisson.
After a Brazil turnover, Mislav Orsic, who came on as a substitute early in the second period of extra time, received a pass on the left wing. He dribbled into the box and sent a cross toward Petkovic, who received a yellow card for removing his jersey in celebration after his game-tying tally.
Earlier, Neymar matched Pelé’s Brazilian record with his 77th goal after his beautiful effort gave Brazil a 1-0 lead over Croatia in the 106th minute.
Neymar, who missed two matches during the group stage with an ankle injury, scored for the second consecutive game in the knockout stage. He received a one-touch pass from Lucas Paquetá in the box before dribbling around Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and roofing a shot under the crossbar. Croatia has 15 minutes to find the equalizer, or Brazil will advance to the semifinals.