World Cup: Croatia beat Brazil on penalties to reach semis

Croatia knocked Brazil out of the 2022 World Cup on penalties following a 1-1 draw in their quarter-final encounter at the Education City Stadium on Friday evening.

Croatia did the impossible after 120 minutes of pulsating, nerve-biting action did not produce a winner, dragging the South American giants to the lottery of penalties where they have excelled in the World Cup.

Both goals scored came in extra-time with Brazil netting first through Neymar’s record-equalling goal before Bruno Petkovic silenced the stadium with an unlikely equalizer two minutes to the end of the match.

During the penalty shootout, Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved the first attempt by Rodrygo while Marquinhos hit the post to confirm the exit of the five-time World Cup champions.

It is the third time Croatia would qualify for the last-four stage of the World Cup. It is also the country’s second consecutive appearance at the semi-finals, the first side to do it since Brazil in 1998 and 2002.

Croatia await the winner of the quarter-final encounter between Argentina and the Netherlands in a match to be played on Tuesday 13 December.

Photo credit: Reuters