The first quarter-final sees a repeat of the 1998 semifinal between the 2018 runners-up Croatia and the bookies favourite Brazil at the Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan.

 

How do we see this one going?

Last Four Meetings:

 

03/06/2018- Brazil 2-0 Croatia (Friendly)

12/06/2014- Brazil 3-1 Croatia (World Cup)

13/06/2006- Brazil 1-0 Croatia (World Cup)

17/08/2005- Croatia 1-1 Brazil (Friendly)

 

NB- Only met four times

 

I reckon Croatia will defend well and make it difficult for Brazil.

Croatia are the only remaining team in the competition who didn't top their group.

Croatia XI: Livakovic, Sosa, Gvardiol, Lovren, Juranovic, Kovacic, Modric, Brozovic, Kramaric, Pasalic, Perisic.

 

Subs: Erlic, Majer, Grbic, Vlasic, Livaja, Petkovic, Budimir, Orsic, Vida, Ivusic, Sutalo, Sucic, Jakic, Barisic.

 

 

Brazil XI: Alisson, Militao, Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo, Casemiro, Paqueta, Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Richarlison.

 

Subs: Weverton, Ederson, Fred, Alves, Fabinho, Guimaraes, Antony, Rodrygo, Ribeiro, Bremer, Pedro, Martinelli.

Early stages but Croatia closing them down way more quicker than any other team who has played them so far

Brazil looking nervous so far. You got commentary from Guy Mowbray and the one and only Jermaine Jenas..

Danilo is a lucky man.

Brazil are doing quite well here considering they have decided to play without a midfield.

Why wasn't there a yellow card for simulation for Antony?

Group F figured out the way to survive was to max out stats on defense.

 

Croatia could yet still be going through huh

That Richarlison-Pedro switch is a bit of an eyebrow raiser.

This goes into extras and potentially PK's it begins to heavily favor Croatia because this Croatian squad has far more experience in those situations at a major tournament than this Brazilian squad does.

Four minutes of added time to find a winner in this game.

Extra time needed and probably penalties to settle this match.

But they still have some guy named Neymar, 1-0 Brazil.

Croatia back into it. 1-1, penalties are on the horizon.

Penalties it is. The first I get to watch in this tournament, Croatia might have the edge here.

I was expecting this one to go all the way and it hasn’t disappointed. I’m just glad my claim from before the tournament that Croatia look better placed this year than they did in 2018 isn’t completely unfounded. Especially with how bad my Germany shout turned out :lol:

 

The pens could really go either way.

Brazil out!!! :o