FIFA World Cup: Croatia knock out Brazil on penalties

Source: The National – The Brazil fans are in tears in the stands, as are the Croatian supporters.

The runners-up from 2018 find themselves one game away from the final, again. They will play the winners of Argentina versus the Netherlands.

The game kicks off at 10pm (11pm UAE). What a fantastic way to kick-start this year’s quarter-finals.

Brazil were one of if not the tournament favourites going into this contest.

However, the five-time winners are out.

The penalty professionals Croatia reach the semi-finals with yet another victory after spot-kicks. They are simply masters of the dreaded shoot-outs, having won all four of theirs at the World Cup now.

Neymar, who didn’t even have chance to take a penalty after saving himself for the fifth one, thought he’d fired Brazil through after taking the lead.

However, Petkovic popped up with an equaliser minutes before the end of extra time.

And the rest was left to Croatians at the penalty spot.