FIFA World Cup: CROATIA KNOCK BRAZIL OUT ON PENALTIES

Croatia returned from the brink to reach the nation’s third World Cup semi-final and ensure Brazil’s wait for a fifth triumph will extend to 24 years, at least.

Neymar scored a brilliant solo goal at the end of the first-half of extra-time to seemingly book a semi-final encounter with the Netherlands or Argentina. But it is Croatia waiting to discover the winners of Friday’s other quarter-final tie.

Has there ever been a more cussed, resilient football team than the one that represents the four-and-a-half-million people of Croatia? It is unlikely. Twice in knockout matches at this World Cup, Zlatko Dalic’s team have recovered from going a goal down to force penalties and advance.

At Russia 2018, Croatia went behind in all three knockout matches before the final. Twice they recovered to win penalty shootouts and in the last four Modric and Co defeated England after extra-time.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic embodies that they shall not pass spirit. He was excellent in the last-16 shooutout against Japan and here resisted Brazil time and again, never shrinking in the face of some of the world’s best and most recognised players.

And he produced the pivotal moment at the outset of the penalty shootout, reacting athletically to keep out Rodrygo’s well-struck penalty. Nikola Vlasic had already scored and suddenly, after 120 minutes and two penalties, Croatia had the whip hand for the first time.

Coach Dalic’s side never relinquished their positon of power, taking four flawless penalties before Marquinhos hit the woodwork for stunned Brazil.