Brazil are OUT of the World Cup after shock defeat to Croatia

2022-12-09

Brazil aren’t dancing any more! South American giants are OUT of the World Cup after shock defeat to Croatia (and their beauty queen fan is loving it!)

Brazil came into the tournament as the odds-on favourites to go all the way
But a disciplined Croatia soaked up immense pressure to shock the Selecao
Croatia will go on to face the winner of England vs France who play tomorrow

Brazil have been dumped out of the World Cup by a plucky Croatia after a tense game which saw the Balkan nation soak up huge pressure to shock the tournament favourites in Qatar.

Croatia came into the competition having finished as runners up four years ago, but the red and white jerseys have by no means been at their convincing best thus far.

The Selecao meanwhile were widely expected to compete for ultimate glory this year and came into today’s game off the back of a 4-1 thrashing of South Korea in the last 16.

But the Croats, marshalled by their grizzled captain Luka Modric and excellent goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, put on an exceptional display of defensive grit for much of the contest before catching Brazil unawares and scoring a fatal blow.

Lucas Paqueta of Brazil looks dejected during FIFA World Cup 2022, Quarterfinal match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium on December 9, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar

Brazil’s forward #10 Neymar comforts #9 Richarlison as Croatia knock Brazil out of the World Cup

Brazil – the most successful team in World Cup history – arrived in Qatar as the odds-on favourite to lift the trophy.

They had won three of their four games prior to today’s quarter final clash – their lone loss coming in their final Group G game against Cameroon in which a largely second-string side were stunned by a last-ditch stoppage time goal.

Croatia meanwhile managed to top Group F after managing two goalless draws before beating Japan on penalties in their first knockout game.

The Brazilians have played rousing football throughout the tournament, with striker Richarlison having notched two of the competition’s most dazzling goals.

But the ageing Croatian outfit have shown an ability to play a controlled, methodical, and slow-paced game – tactics that have brought them much success.

Andrej Kramaric (R) of Croatia in action against Rodrygo (down) of Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter final soccer match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar, 09 December 2022

Brazil’s forward #10 Neymar reacts during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha

There was nothing to separate the Brazilians and their 2018 runners-up opponents in the first half with both sides enjoying half chances in a free-flowing game, but nothing clear-cut.

If anything, Croatia enjoyed the best chance of the half, when, after 13 minutes, Ivan Perisic could only miss-cue a whipped Mario Pasalic cross past Alisson’s goalpost.

Brazil took the ascendancy in the second half though, piling on the pressure with constant, dynamic attacks which the Croats were forced to dig deep to repel.

The Croatian contingent erupted in the stands when the final whistle was blown, the victory of their national team sparking wild celebrations.

Instagram model and former Miss Croatia winner Ivana Knoll – who has earned notoriety at the tournament after stadium security officials prevented her from taking photos with fans – was also seen soaking up the atmosphere.

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