Precious
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Pundits have been quick to hit out at Brazil for not seeing out the game against Croatia – before losing 4-2 on penalties to their European opponents.
After a goalless 90 minutes, Brazil and Croatia played out a 1-1 draw in extra time after Neymar’s opener was cancelled out by Bruno Petkovic four minutes from time.
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The South American side came unstuck in the shootout, first when Rodrygo was denied with their opening penalty, and then Marquinhos hit the post with a vital spotkick to keep Brazil in the game, after Croatia had converted all of their efforts.
SPEAKING TO THE BBC AFTER THE MATCH,
JERMAINE JENAS SAID:
“Hearts have been broken in Brazil, but they didn’t do enough. They could have done more, should have done more.”
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Whilst Brazil were many people’s tip to go all the way in Qatar, the tournament has been littered with shocks from Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina in the group stages through to Morocco’s own penalty shootout win on Tuesday which eliminated Spain.
FELLOW PUNDIT ALEX SCOTT FELT IT WAS A CONTINUATION OF THAT TREND, ADDING:
“Brazil were my favourites, they were many people’s favourites. This is a World Cup that keeps throwing up surprises.”
Micah Richards spoke about the shock experienced by Brazil’s travelling support.
THE FORMER MAN CITY PLAYER SAID:
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“They can’t believe it because they were so close, yet so far. It is like they can’t believe it. The fans have been brilliant.
Former German international Jurgen Klinnsmann hailed Brazil’s opponents, especially as it looked like they were going to be sent home with five minutes remaining
THE 58-YEAR-OLD TOLD THE BBC:
“You are only as good as your opponent. Croatia were resilient. We thought it was over, but they never gave up. It was fantastic, their mentality.”
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On Tite’s Brazil, the German added: ‘It will sit with them deep, deep. They prepared for this for a couple of years, coming through a gruelling qualifying process. They were hungry, full of energy, but there was a lack of quality.’
The 1990 World Cup winner said that he felt the game at the Education City Stadium changed with Petkovic’s late equaliser. ‘The momentum really shifted with that Croatia goal, just before the end of extra time,’ Klinsmann said.
“What goes through your mind if you are a Brazilian player, you get scared. The whole nation expects you to get through and you panic. You are far more nervous because you don’t have any time to balance yourself out.”
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It was only the second penalty shootout loss Brazil have suffered at the men’s World Cup, following on from their 1986 exit against France in Guadalajara, Mexico.
On that day, Brazil also left the tournament at the quarter-final stage, with penalty misses from Socrates and Julio Cesar as they lost 4-3 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw in normal time. France went on to finish third that year.
2018 runners-up Croatia will face either Argentina or Holland in the first of the two World Cup semi-finals on Tuesday.
