Croatia beat Brazil on penalties in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar and are the first semi-finalists of the tournament: access to the final on Sunday 18 December will be played against the winner of Argentina-Netherlands (tonight at 20).
Regulation time had ended in a draw without goals, with Brazil more dangerous in attack, especially in the second half, and Croatia well placed on the field but not very effective in the offensive phase. This lack weighed in the long run and allowed Brazil to gradually take control of the game up to the goal scored by Neymar in the injury time of the first overtime.
In the second half Croatia tried to react and three minutes from the end they scored the equalizer with Bruno Petkovic — let loose in the area by the Brazilian defense — with his first real shot on goal of the game. In the penalties, the mistakes of Rodrygo and Marquinho were decisive. For the second consecutive World Cup, runners-up world champion Croatia will play at least the semi-finals.
