Brazil crash out of 2022 FIFA WC after losing to Croatia on penalties in quarter-finals
Five-time winners Brazil were eliminated from the 2022 FIFA World Cup after losing 2-4 on penalties to Croatia in the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. After 90 minutes of play, the score remained 0-0. In the extra period, both teams each scored one goal. Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the last competition as well.
Croatia should be commended for their game plan, which involved playing directly into the hands of the individually talented Brazilians and utilising the technical prowess of their midfielders to maintain a lot of slow possession while denying Brazil the necessary time and possession to generate enough chances. They were so adept at moving the ball in midfield that Brazil occasionally feared pressing them too hard in case space appeared behind them.
Although Croatia’s strategy was successful, it was unable to stop Neymar’s flash of brilliance. In the end, Brazil let up a simple goal and let the game slip away from them. Croatia kept up their tenacity for a little while longer and ultimately won.
