Brazil had been one of many favourites to win the World Cup however they will not even function within the semi-final after being dumped out by Croatia on penalties.
The Selecao thought they’d it gained when Neymar’s wonderful solo aim put them forward late in additional time, however Bruno Petkovic scored with Croatia’s first shot on the right track with just some minutes to go and despatched the sport to penalties.
From the spot, Rodrygo’s effort was saved by the wonderful Dominik Livakovic, earlier than Marquinhos struck the submit and sealed Croatia’s place within the semi-final.
These two paragraphs make it appear as if Brazil had been the dominant facet, however in actuality, Tite can have few complaints about this outcome.
Brazil had been a little bit lucky to even be within the sport at half time. Zlatko Dalic gained the tactical battle inside the primary 45 minutes, with the streets-shall-never-forget midfield of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic completely working the present.
Tite’s resolution to deploy what was extra of a 4-1-4-1, with Casemiro alone on an island, was misguided because the Croatian trio had their approach with Manchester United’s anchor man. Had they provided actually something in assault, they absolutely would have taken the lead.
The three midfielders additionally swarmed Neymar and Lucas Paqueta every time they tried to hyperlink up the Brazilian strains. The Selecao had nothing within the first half.
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Tite declined to regulate his system and as a substitute modified the personnel. Antony’s introduction for Raphinha ten minutes into the second half was the catalyst for Brazil’s enchancment because the €100m-Mancheter United man lived as much as his price ticket and dragged his facet on high.
However the lack of tactical shift noticed Brazil proceed to knock on the identical door and it took a second of absolute genius from Neymar to interrupt them down.
Particular person brilliance could not minimize it, nonetheless, as Croatia responded by way of Petkovic and went on to win on penalties – a good reward for the sheer effort they put in to get thus far.
Brazil simply did not do sufficient. They had been second-best in midfield and had one technique in assault. You want greater than that at these huge levels, and the Selecao have paid the worth.
