Brazil had their last dance. They seemed to have edged out a tense and nerve-wracking quarter-final with a superbly constructed Neymar goal in the 105th minute and it seemed, at the time, that their talisman’s genuine moment of arrival at this tournament could be a pivotal event in his story.
But they counted without a remarkable, tough and accomplished Croatia team that has no idea when they are beaten. Bruno Petkovic’s equalizer, as time went on, hadn’t looked likely, but you can never undo them; penalties ensued and Dominik Livakovic, the hero against Japan, saved the first from Rodrygo.
When Marquinhos hit a post, Croatia having scored four times, the result was settled. A side inspired by Luka Modric, who took them onto the pitch in their eighth extra time in nine knockout ties, cannot be ruled out going all the way.
It was clear from the first moments that Brazil would not expose Croatia as they did with South Korea. Zlatko Dalic’s side started better and a tactical adjustment, moving Modric to something resembling a No.10 from his previous role in a three-man midfield, paid off in possession and territory. Modric kept his old friend Casemiro busy and quashed attempts to build Brazil; Croatia had more success doing this and created the first glimmer when Ivan Perisic couldn’t make clean contact on Mario Pasalic’s delivery.
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Pasalic had scored the winning penalty against Japan and, alongside left-back Borna Sosa, was called up to the starting line-up. Both were, like their cohort, quick and methodical.
Croatia clearly sensed that Brazil could be exploited from crosses and Modric drank one after assaulting Casemiro, who had been sleeping on a deployment from Alisson. It was cleared, but no one could suggest the 2018 finalists lacked intent.
In the first half hour, Brazil were rationed by a few outings from Vinícius Júnior, who gave Livakovic a catching practice with an early curler and saw Dejan Lovren block a measured effort. Space was limited and certainly not available behind. When Neymar identified a pocket to exploit by crushing Marcelo Brozovic, his opponent was content to take a card for bringing him back.
Danilo had already received one for a dangerous high foot on raging right-back Josip Juranovic. Brazil might not have liked it, but as half-time approached, Croatia still led the way, operating with a physical and technical authority that had only been partially evident in the last 16 games.
When they lost the ball, the teammates helped each other: the masked Josko Gvardiol saved such a situation while Juranovic launched a notable recovery challenge on Vinícius Júnior. Modric smothered Brazil’s counter after Gvardiol over-committed on a canter defense.
Brazil hadn’t started: it’s one thing to have four excellent forwards, five if you count Lucas Paquetá’s eagerness to stick to that number, but quite another when you have little midfield. ground to connect them. Modric, Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic can control this area while they sleep; they hadn’t been under enough pressure here.
Tite had evidently relayed this message to the interval. Within two minutes of the restart, Gvardiol almost turned Raphinha’s cross past Livakovic, his rash spared by the keeper’s leg. Seconds later, Vinícius Júnior fed Neymar but his effort was poorly caught; a Jozo Simunovic handball in the build-up survived VAR scrutiny.
Perisic crossed Pasalic’s head marginally. Proceedings had finally opened up, with Livakovic pushing back with his limbs again after Richarlison fed Neymar, and there was a feeling Brazil would be better favored as a result.
Still, Croatia regained their footing, although they didn’t look likely to score. It must have felt like a personal triumph for Juranovic when Rodrygo was drafted in place of Vinícius Júnior. Livakovic cleverly blocked Paquetá after a chaotic defense but Croatia again imposed long periods of possession.
From time to time, Brazil would come to life. They could point out that Livakovic’s saves were piling up and he again denied Neymar from an angle in the 77th minute. Then Paquetá sidestepped him after some good work from Antony. But extra time seemed inevitable for a long time, perhaps from the very beginning, and Croatia got them there without further alarm.
The question was whether, in the face of opposition of this quality, heavy Croatian legs would end up saying it. Modric hadn’t lasted beyond the 99th minute against Japan but, as that stage passed this time, you could see him heading towards the Brazil penalty box as if the previous exchanges had never happened . They squandered a chance soon after with Brozovic firing waywardly, and there was enough to suggest someone could still avoid penalties.
It looked like Neymar had done it when, after a rapier move that started with a one-two with Rodrygo and ended with a rat-a-tat with Paquetá, he beat Sosa to the ball and finished with insistence.
A fine goal seemed to have settled things, but Modric revived Croatia and recently introduced substitute Mislav Orsic focused on Petkovic to sweep via a Marquinhos deflection. The entire Croatian bench celebrated beyond the touchline; their glee had nothing on what followed.
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