Brazil, Croatia go to extra time at World Cup at 0-0

9 Dec 2022

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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.

Croatia’s Luka Modric, right, fights for the ball with Brazil’s Richarlison during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

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.

Croatia’s Mateo Kovacić and Brazil’s Éder Militão jump for a header. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)

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.

Brazil’s Neymar, center, kicks the ball besides Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol, bottom, Croatia’s Dejan Lovren, right, Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic, background, and Croatia’s Borna Sosa, left, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Richarlison came deep and spun to play Neymar in, but Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic stood firm.

Brazil’s Neymar, right, takes a shot in the second half. (Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images)

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.

Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic falls challenged by Brazil’s Lucas Paqueta during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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.

Brazil’s Neymar, left, duels for the ball with Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Croatia was able to quell the Brazilian onslaught but was driven deeper and deeper into its own half.

Croatia’s Marcelo Brozovic grabs Brazil’s Neymar during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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.