2022 FIFA World Cup favourites Brazil were knocked out in the quarterfinal on penalties today as Croatia held onto book their place in the semifinal.
The 2018 finalist; converted all their four spot kicks while Brazil’s Rodrygo first kick was denied by brilliant goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and Marquinhos’ crucial fourth effort struck the post.
After an engrossing 90 minutes, Brazil thought they had won it in extra time when Neymar scored a thumping effort to equal Pele’s all-time scoring record of 77 goals.
But substitute Bruno Petkovic had other ideas, stroking in a 117th-minute equalizer.
Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, the evergreen Luka Modric and Mislav Orsic were all successful with their penalties while Neymar was not among the first four Brazilians penalty-takers, left to take a decisive fifth which never came.