World Cup: Brazil impresses, Croatia says thank you to its goalkeeper ... what to remember from Monday December 5

Surprises, but what surprises?

The favorites still emerged victorious in their round of 16 on Monday.

Croatia struggled against Japan before winning on penalties after a close match (1-1, 3-1 on pens).

His opponent in the quarter-finals, Brazil, struggled much less to defeat South Korea (4-1) in the evening.

Here's what to remember from Monday, December 5 in Qatar.

The walk: Brazil very easy against South Korea

Attention, favorite in very good shape.

Brazil walked (4-1) in their round of 16 against South Korea.

4-0 in less than forty minutes, an impressive Richarlison in attack, a Neymar back without a hitch - we'll come back to this - and a great technical demonstration.

Four different scorers - Vinicius, Neymar, Richarlison, Paqueta -, an Alisson alert to Korean opportunities and the impression of a very oiled collective.

Good luck to Croatia on Friday.

The ghost: Neymar is better and joins Pelé and Ronaldo

He hadn't played since his worrying right ankle injury against Serbia for Brazil's debut.

Established by his coach Tite, Neymar did not seem to suffer and scored his first goal of the competition by converting the penalty obtained by his center forward Richarlison (2-0, 13th).

An achievement that allows the PSG star to become the third Brazilian player in history to score in three different World Cups after Pelé and Ronaldo.

There are worse in company.

The hero: Dominik Livakovic, bulwark of Croatia

If Croatia finds four years after the quarter-finals of a World Cup, it owes it to its goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic.

The 27-year-old Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper pulled off a phenomenal penalty shootout against Japan, with three saves from four Japanese attempts.

A performance of madness which earned him to be celebrated by all his partners, relieved to get out of the trap set by the Samouraï Blue which pushed them to play 120 minutes after a 1-1 in regulation time.

The only extension so far of these round of 16.

Four years ago, Croatia began their journey to the final in the knockout stages with a penalty shootout success in the Round of 16 against Denmark.

Again, the score at the end of extra time was 1-1.

A good omen or a simple coincidence?

Response to the next game against Brazil.

[📺VIDEO] 🏆 #beINFWC2022 #JPNHRV

🇯🇵🇭🇷 Relive the penalty shootout between Japan and Croatia!

👀 With a record performance from Livakovic! https://t.co/Oq508eDTKV

— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) December 5, 2022

The refusal: Fifa rejects the claim of the FFF

No, no one knows why.

Fifa announced Monday in a lapidary statement that the appeal of the French Football Federation on the goal denied to Antoine Griezmann during the defeat of the Blues against Tunisia (0-1) in pool was rejected.

An appeal dismissed without anyone knowing why.

As a reminder, the FFF had filed an appeal to request that the equalizing goal of Antoine Griezmann canceled by the Var be granted.

At issue: use of video refereeing contrary to the rules by the man at the whistle, New Zealander Matthew Conger.

The latter had used this technology after having given the kick-off to play for the Tunisians, which is prohibited.

The image: the tribute to Pelé

The Seleçao players paid tribute to the football legend, currently hospitalized.

Neymar and his partners unrolled a poster with the face and name Pelé on the lawn of the 974 stadium after their success against South Korea.

The three-time world champion posted a message on Twitter to wish them good luck ahead of kick-off.

The Brazilians rolled out a poster of Pelé after their success against South Korea.

AFP/Antonin Thuillier AFP or licensors

The visit: Kylian Mbappé visits his friend Achraf Hakimi

It was day off for the Blues this Monday.

And Kylian Mbappé took part of his free time the day after his demonstration against Poland (3-1) to visit his friend Achraf Hakimi.

The Blues striker went to the hotel where the Moroccans are staying in Qatar where he found his partner from PSG, with whom he is very close.

The latter could also play a quarter-final if the Atlas Lions dominate Spain in the round of 16 on Tuesday.

According to Moroccan media, Hakimi was accompanied by comedian Jamel Debbouze, close to the two men.

🏆 #beINFWC2022

🇫🇷🇲🇦 The Mbappé - Hakimi bromance is in full swing!

🤩 The Frenchman went to the Moroccan players' hotel to visit his friend from PSG! https://t.co/F8NscO0ZIC

— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) December 5, 2022