By Kamsi Anayo with agency report
Croatia has beaten Brazil on penalties to reach the last four of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Bruno Petković’s goal in the 116th minute cancelled out Neymar’s strike in the first half of extra-time before the match was decided on penalties which Croatia won 4-2.
Zlatko Dalić made two changes from the side which started against Japan in the round of 16, starting Mario Pašalić on the right of midfield and Borna Sosa at left back in place of Borna Barišić.
It was an urgent and energetic Croatia as they pressed Brazil on attack from the get-go, nullifying anything they tried to must.
With Luka Modrić leading the way, Croatia managed to control the pace of the game in the first half and they would enjoy more possession than their more fancied opponents.
Josip Juranović and Mario Pašalić down the right, and Ivan Perišić on the left caused some problems for Brazil but there were no real chances for Croatia.
Brazil came close to opening the scoring at the start of the second half but Livaković would make two good saves from Neymar.
In the 65th minute Livaković again made a fantastic save to deny Paqueta. The Croatian keeper would again save from Neymar ten minutes later when he was put through alone in the box.
Croatia defended well, frustrating Brazil and they would force the quarterfinal into extra-time.
Croatia had a great chance to take the lead first in extra-time when Bruno Petkovic beat two defenders and squared the ball to Marcelo Brozović but his shot would go over the bar.
Brazil would finally find a way through in the 105th minute when Neymar picked up the ball in the box and skipped around Livaković to fire into the roof of the net.
Croatia, who did not have a shot on target in the match, would equalise in the 116th minute when Petković’s left-foot shot from a Mislav Oršić cross took a deflection to go into the back of the net.
Once again Croatia would head to penalties and Livaković would save Rodrygo’s first penalty to give Croatia an early advantage. Vlašić, Majer, Modrić and Oršić all scored before Pedro would hit the post to send Croatia into the last four.
Croatia now advance through to the semi-final against either Argentina or Holland.
