Croatia's upset win over Brazil sends football world into frenzy
In securing a semifinal berth for a second consecutive World Cup on Friday, Croatia sent shockwaves across social media.
Croatia was on the brink of elimination after Neymar put Brazil ahead in the first half of extra time. But unlikely hero Bruno Petkovic scored an equalizer before Dominik Livakovic produced a huge save in the shootout to send the Croatians to the semis.
#Croatia runs to fight for another #FIFAWorldCup medal! 🏃♂️
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) December 9, 2022
#CROBRA #Qatar2022 #Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/K02GiKrbRi
Fever Pić 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/jkSTFkYtGd
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 9, 2022
Thèse shoot outs are giant killers. Wow.
— Katty Kay (@KattyKay_) December 9, 2022
The last time Brazil beat a European team in a World Cup knockout game was way back in 2002. Over 20 years and counting now.
— Get World Cup Football News (@_GIFN) December 9, 2022
Incredible stuff from Croatia. Exactly what the World Cup is for. Pound for pound the best football nation on earth?
— Stefan Bienkowski (@SBienkowski) December 9, 2022
A country of 4 million people and no World Cups just beat a country of 214 million and 5 World Cups to reach their second straight World Cup semifinal. Football is bloody incredible.
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) December 9, 2022
Croatia continue to redefine what is possible for a soccer team that never wins soccer games.
— Ryan O'Hanlon (@rwohan) December 5, 2022
Croatia are in the World Cup semi finals having beaten one team: Canada
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) December 9, 2022
Remember when Canada were up 1-0 on this Croatian team? This World Cup is a wild, wild ride.
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) December 9, 2022
Dani Alves was consoling Neymar after their loss against Croatia 😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/CCZnywVked
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 9, 2022
🚨 Lovely moment as a child from the celebrating Croatia squad - looks like Ivan Perisic family - runs over to console Neymar after #HRV shock Brazil to end #BRA dream of 1st #FIFAWorldCup since 2002 & record-extending 6th titlehttps://t.co/cyXMYoPulg@TheAthleticFC #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/HU2tZthP82
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 9, 2022
Brazil's misery didn't stop some from having a laugh at the expense of the most successful team in World Cup history.
Brazil should have practiced penalties rather than dance moves #Brazil #Croatia #WorldCup #CROBRA pic.twitter.com/JIbppH4jHA
— Reverse Giraffe 🦒 (@ReverseGiraffe8) December 9, 2022
Croatia hand Brazil their last dance. 🕺 pic.twitter.com/jdMMhPNOwW
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 9, 2022
Perhaps none were more pleased than Argentina fans, who celebrated wildly before Friday's other quarterfinal in Qatar between their team and the Netherlands.
Think Argentina’s fans enjoyed Brazil’s penalty loss. pic.twitter.com/mUDrXTz0AR
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 9, 2022
Meanwhile, a debate ensued after Neymar didn't feature in the shootout. The Paris Saint-Germain star was picked to go fifth but was unable to shoot after the fourth penalty-taker, Marquinhos, hit the post and sealed the defeat.
Will never get my head around why teams leave their main man until last.
— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) December 9, 2022
There’s always the chance, as Neymar just found out, that it doesn’t get round to you.#CROBRA #bra #WorldCup
IMO your best penalty takers take your first five pens, in order of ability. None of this fifth penalty glory nonsense.
— Mike Minay (@MikeMinay) December 9, 2022
So either Neymar is a crap penalty taker (74/89 scored to date) or he wanted the moment.
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