CROATIA 1-1 BRAZIL (PENS 4-2): PSG forward Neymar scored a sensational extra-time goal to put Brazil ahead but Petkovic levelled the score to send the pulsating World Cup quarter-final clash to penalties.

Croatia booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals as they dumped Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties.

The five-time champions enjoyed the better of the opportunities in what was a competitive affair but found Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic an imperious opponent and the match headed into extra-time.

Neymar looked to be the man to decide the tie as he danced through the Croatian defence and thundered home an uber-dramatic strike as Brazil seemingly put one foot in the semi-finals. Croatia were not to be denied though as a flowing move was polished off by Bruno Petković to send the game into a penalty shootout.

Rodrygo’ and Marquinhos missed from the spot as Croatia secured their place at their second-consecutive World Cup semi-final where they will take on Argentina or Netherlands. Here are the key talking points from the Education City Stadium:

Brazil endure another slow start
Having plundered four in the first-half against South Korea in the round of 16, Tite’s men were not able to continue their scintilating form against Croatia. The five-time world champions struggled to cut through their opponents having been kept at arms’ length throughout the majority of the opening period with just three shots on target.

Vinicius Jr. arguably had the best chance of the first-half as he played an excellent one-two with Richarlison but saw his eventual shot well blocked by Josko Gvardiol – the RB Leipzig defender having been a hugely impressive performer for Croatia in Qatar.

Whilst Brazil’s seeming lack of threat would have been a surprise, they have actually failed to net a first-half goal in six out of their last seven World Cup matches so a goalless first-half was potentially not as unusual as first perceived.

Who was your man-of-the-match on Brazil’s World Cup showdown with Croatia? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Juranovic gives Danilo torrid first-half
Celtic defender Josip Juranovic has been an ever-present for Croatian during the World Cup. Ahead of Friday’s meeting with Brazil, the 27-year-old had played every minute under Zlatko Dalic. He continued that form with an excellent first-half display against the Selecao.

Juranovic gave ex- Manchester City man Danilo a torrid time – the Brazilian resorting to taking him down with a head-high challenge to stop him. The Celtic man was also brilliant from a defensive viewpoint. Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr looked set to skip away from the right-back but he somehow got back to reclaim the ball for Croatia.

His hot form continued in the second-half and led to Vinicius being taken off just after the hour mark.

Modric dominates Casemiro reunion
Both part of an all-conquering Real Madrid side for the best part of a decade, Casemiro finally came up against former teammate Luka Modric at the Education City Stadium. The pair are no longer teammates following the former’s switch to Manchester United in the summer.

The Croatian got the better of his opposite number in the first period – something that did not prevent a half-time shirt swap between the pair. Modric’s composed display continued after the game as he controlled large swaths of the centre of the park.

His penalty was also a brilliant effort and he will now turn his attention to yet another momentous semi-final.

Livakovic keeps Brazil at bay
Despite a lack of real threat from Brazil throughout the majority of the tie, they did manage to breach the Croatia backline on a few occasions – only to see Dinamo Zagreb stopper Dominik Livakovic in the way.

The 39-time international showed sharp instincts just when his side needed him as Tite’s side cranked up the pressure just after the break. Neymar thrice had efforts denied by the Croatia stopper. In the meantime, he also stood tall to paw away a lofted effort from West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta – that being among a collection of 11 key saves throughout the match.

He kept up his form during the shootout as he saved Rodrygo’s effort to give his side the perfect start.

Neymar’s World Cup dream hanging by a thread despite heroics
With Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar set to be 34 by the next World Cup, his dream of adding the glittering trophy to his bloated collection looks to be hanging by a thread.

In what was an otherwise quiet display from the Brazilian sensation, he got his magic feet moving seemingly just when Brazil needed him. Just moments before the extra-time interval, he charged into the Croatia box and exchanged passes with Richarlison.
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He kept his balance just long enough to skip around Livakovic and thunder the ball into the near post – a goal that sees him draw level with the great Pele. It wasn’t quite enough though as the South American side failed to keep out Croatia – the game heading into a penalty shootout.

Extra-time experts Croatia rise again
The fact that this game went to extra-time would certainly be a development that was welcomed by Croatia. Eight of the Europeans’ last nine knockout torounament matches have rolled on beyond the 90 minutes – a run that includes all three of their matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

They have already displayed their ability and stamina in extra-time this tournament having edged past Japan on penalties and almost snatched a winner against Brazil. A wonderful bit of skill from Bruno Petković saw the striker tee up Marcelo Brozovic only for the Inter Milan star to blaze his effort high over the crossbar.

Their extra-time and penalty practice looks to have been to their benefit following Petkovic’s winner and a flawless set of efforts from the spot.