AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Neymar goes home again without a World Cup title. The search for Luka Modric continues unabated.
Modric converted one of the penalties as Croatia knocked Brazil out of the World Cup on Friday, beating the five-time champions 4-2 in a shootout to reach the semifinals for the second time in a row.
Neymar tied Pelé’s record for most goals for the national team, giving Brazil the lead after extra time. But he was not among the four Brazilian players to take a penalty in the shootout, instead he broke down in tears on the pitch at Education City Stadium as the red and white clad Croatians celebrated.
Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved the penalty on Rodrygo’s first attempt and Marquinhos then hit the post. Livakovic had already produced some key saves as the teams drew 0-0 in regulation and 1-1 after extra time.
“We grew up as fighters, doing our best,” Livakovic said. “And that’s the recipe for success.”
Five of Croatia’s last six World Cup matches have gone to extra time, including their victory on penalties over Japan in the round of 16 in Qatar. The team has been successful in eight of its last 10 knockout matches in the tournament.
Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer and Mislav Orsic also converted their penalties for Croatia, while Casemiro and Pedro scored for Brazil.
Both goals came in the extra 30 minutes, first with Neymar scoring late in the first half of extra time to give Brazil the lead, and then with Bruno Petkovic leveling at 117.
Neymar’s goal brought him level with Pelé as Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 77 goals, but the striker again failed to win a major title with Brazil and had to be consoled by veteran defender Dani Alves as he cried afterwards. of the party
Croatia will now face either Argentina or the Netherlands to try to return to the World Cup final four years after losing the title to France.
Brazil was looking to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2014. The team hadn’t gotten this far since hosting the tournament eight years ago, when the Selecao were embarrassed by Germany 7-1.
Brazil was trying to defeat a European opponent in the World Cup round of 16 for the first time since the 2002 final against Germany, when the team last won.
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