Brazil suffered a heartbreaking exit from the World Cup in a stunning penalty shootout defeat to Croatia on Friday.
Neymar netted his 77th international goal in extra time — moving him level with legend Pele for the country’s all-time men’s goal record — but it proved not to be enough as Brazil suffered a second-consecutive quarterfinal exit at a World Cup finals.
Tite’s side were frustrated for much of the match by a dominant display from Croatia’s midfield trio — Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric — and some inspired form from goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic during a cagey affair that was sent to extra time when the deadlock could not be broken in regulation time.
Neymar, who had been quiet until then, thought he had struck an extra-time winner when he skipped past Livakovic and powerfully fired into the roof of the net, but 2018 runners-up Croatia hit back with just four minutes to play as Bruno Petkovic levelled the score at 1-1 with a deflected strike from the edge of the box.
Brazil came unstuck in the shootout, with Rodrygo missing their opening penalty and Marquinhos missing their fourth, while Croatia converted all of theirs to claim a memorable win.
“This is just for the Croatian people,” head coach Zlatko Dalic said. “A great match from the first minute to the last. We eliminated the biggest favourites. This is not the end for us, let’s keep going.
“This is a victory for all of us, everyone gave their best. Thanks also to those on the bench, who also live for this national team.”
Croatia, who have now won two straight knockout games on penalties, face a semifinal clash on Tuesday against either Argentina or Netherlands, who play later Friday.
