The quarterfinals of the World Cup begins with perhaps one of the more one-sided matchups as pre-tournament favorites Brazil, who have looked every inch the part, face off against Croatia at the Education City Stadium. The latter were the beaten finalists in 2018 but have not won a knockout game in normal time at a World Cup or European Championships since 1998. Brazil and Croatia will play extra time because the original time ended 0-0. The Associated Press has the story:
Brazil, Croatia go to extra time at World Cup at 0-0
Newslooks- AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP)
The match between Brazil and Croatia in the quarterfinals of the World Cup has gone to extra time with the score 0-0.
Croatia’s midfield technicians nullified Brazil to fine effect during the goalless first half of their World Cup quarterfinal at Education City Stadium.
Luka Modric was in regal form and his team created the best chance of an opening period low on chances, when Josip Juranovic and Ivan Perisic just failed to get on the end of Mario Pasalic’s cross.
Brazil were restricted to half chances, with Vinicius Junior their brightest attacking threat as Neymar and Richarlison resided on the margins before combining in the 55th minute.
Richarlison came deep and spun to play Neymar in, but Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic stood firm.
It’s been night and day from Brazil in this match. After creating next to nothing in the first half, the Brazilians have carved Croatia open on a number of occasions.
Neymar, in the hunt for football legend Pelé’s all-time goal scoring record, has had three excellent chances. Once he was denied by Joško Gvardiol before twice drawing sharp saves from Dominik Livaković.
Croatia was able to quell the Brazilian onslaught but was driven deeper and deeper into its own half.
Despite Croatia having played significantly more than Brazil and looking stretched in the second half, you wouldn’t bet against. Croatia won all three of its knockout matches via extra time or penalties on the way to the final in 2018 and it needed penalties to beat Japan in Qatar.
The longer and longer this game goes without a Brazilian goal, the more pendulum swings in the European team’s favor.
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