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Neymar and Brazil down: Croatia stop Seleção

2022-12-09T19:27:18.371Z


Neymar and Brazil down: Croatia stop Seleção Created: 2022-12-09Updated: 2022-12-09 8:18 PM The Brazilians are disappointed after the defeat on the pitch. © Robert Michael/dpa The top favorite is out - again. Brazil and Neymar fail at the World Cup because of their own nerves and penalty hero Livakovic. The wait for the "Hexa" will continue until at least 2026. Al-Rajjan - The bitterly disappo


Neymar and Brazil down: Croatia stop Seleção

Created: 2022-12-09Updated: 2022-12-09 8:18 PM

The Brazilians are disappointed after the defeat on the pitch.

© Robert Michael/dpa

The top favorite is out - again.

Brazil and Neymar fail at the World Cup because of their own nerves and penalty hero Livakovic.

The wait for the "Hexa" will continue until at least 2026.

Al-Rajjan - The bitterly disappointed Neymar was all alone with his grief, Luka Modric let his children dance around him with Croatia jerseys: The emotional worlds could not have been more different after Brazil's surprising and dramatic knockout at the World Cup in Qatar.

The clear top favorite has once again said goodbye in the quarter-finals and has to travel home early after a gripping 4-2 defeat on penalties.

For Neymar, whose stroke of genius in extra time wasn't enough, it could have been the last real shot at the golden World Cup.

"We had it in our hands and it slipped away from us," said leading player Casemiro after the defeat, in which Croatia's Dominik Livakovic became a great hero, as he did in the round of 16 against Japan.

Although Livakovic only saved a penalty this time, he defused numerous great chances in the 120 minutes before.

“We are fighters, we gave all our hearts.

We're really happy," said the goalkeeper, who was named Player of the Match at Education City Stadium in Al-Rajjan.

Brazil, on the other hand, is in deep mourning as a footballer, and the desired “Hexa” will have to wait at least four more years.

“We are sad, we get up again and look ahead.

I'm really very proud of everyone, but unfortunately we lost," said captain Thiago Silva in a first reaction.

When Marquinhos hit the post with the fourth and thus decisive penalty, Neymar, who was weak apart from the goal, sank to the grass directly in the center circle.

The Paris professional later received consolation from Ivan Perisic's son.

Dalic: "We have a very strong character"

The 30-year-old Neymar was no longer allowed to play from the point because the nerve game had already been decided beforehand.

Bruno Petkovic's very late goal (117th minute) after Neymar's lead (105th) was the key to the penalty shootout, which gave Croatia another spectacular coup.

Croatia beat Brazil on penalties.

© Petr David Josek/AP/dpa

“This is one of the greatest victories for our country.

We showed that we don't give up.

We have a very strong character," said coach Zlatko Dalic.

In 2018, when Croatia surprisingly reached the World Cup final and lost to France, the team had only survived the round of 16 and the quarter-finals in a duel from the point.

“This is our second World Cup semi-final in a row and we are a small country.

I'm thrilled with how they played," said Dalic, looking at his pros.

No Superclasico in the semifinals

The Brazilians, who had been outstanding before the quarter-finals, were stopped just as the whole of South America was already dreaming of a Superclasico against Argentina in next Tuesday's semi-finals.

But another coach will have to do the development work, because Tite's farewell after the World Cup has been a decision for months - regardless of the outcome of the World Cup.

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A year after Lionel Messi and company's Copa America title, Brazil will again have to watch on December 18 as another nation raise the trophy claimed by the Seleção to the Lusail night sky.

The wait goes on, at least until the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

In addition to Neymar in Richarlison, Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha, there were numerous other ball artists for the Brazilians and the prospects were bright.

Modric trumps as a clock

The 37-year-old Modric, who is believed to be playing his last World Cup, will become a kind of stand-up man in Qatar.

After a mixed preliminary round, he came up trumps again against favorites Brazil, defended powerfully in midfield and converted his penalty effortlessly.

“I hope he will play for us for a long time.

It's something very special to play with him in a team," said his colleague Borna Sosa from VfB Stuttgart.

Croatia's Borna Sosa (l) in a duel with Brazil's Raphinha.

© Robert Michael/dpa

The coronation that he was denied in the final four years ago could now be possible.

One of the Croatians' trump cards is their strong nerves - and the captain.

“Luka Modric set the rhythm.

It's unbelievable how great he is playing.

He wasn't tired.

We asked him and he was fully prepared.

This is Luka Modric.

He has shown that he is one of the best players in the world," added head coach Dalic.

There was no substitution like there was against Japan this time.

Appropriately, assistant coach Ivica Olic said: "Croatia is a small country, but has very great footballers."

Brazil's Richarlison (M) shields the ball from Croatia's Josko Gvardiol (r).

© Andre Penner/AP/dpa

Brazil's defense chief Silva was visibly depressed.

"It's very difficult, you have no words.

It hurts very much.

I would have liked to have held up the trophy," said the Chelsea FC professional.

The late equalizer in particular bothered him: "It was just unfortunate and it's incredibly difficult." Before Petkovic equalized in front of 43,893 spectators, the game seemed decided.

But then came the joker for Croatia - and then the penalty hero.

dpa

Source: merkur

All sports articles on 2022-12-09

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