Neymar in tears after Brazil’s elimination from the ongoing World Cup.
It was mixed reactions at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Doha yesterday when Croatia created a stunning upset in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup.
Non-favorite Croatia handed the shocking defeat to mundial favorites, Brazil in a penalty shootout.
Brazil had clearly been the favourites to win the ongoing world cup but were unbelievably sent out.
During the regular time of play, while the Croatians made feeble attempts at dominating the game, Brazil’s Vinicius Jr., Richarlison and Neymar provided the most consistent threats creating anxious moments.
Croatia on its part played a defensive game for the most part of regulation time which resulted in limited offensive threats.
Somehow the goals never came in a match that was tension soaked for the Brazilians.
In the early minutes of the first half of extra time, Neymar put the ball past the Croatian goal keeper to give Brazil the lead, but Croatia stormed back into the match when Bruno Petkovic scored in the 117th minute.
After 92 minutes or regulation and 30 minutes extra time of play, the semi final spot had to be determined in a penalty shootout.
The Brazilian players all crashed to the ground and broke down into tears after Marquinhos hit the post in the penalty shootout.
For Neymar in particular, it was all too much as he cried more than any other player after the defeat because for a while, it looked like his team was through after scoring what could have been a legendary goal in the 106th minute.
Meanwhile Neymar’s goal puts him at par with soccer legend Pele as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 77 goals.
Consequent to the upsetting defeat, coach of the Brazil national team, Tite resigned yesterday, few minutes after his team was eliminated by Croatia.
