Croatia knock Brazil out of the World Cup

In-form Brazil team will be up against a resilient Croatia side in the first quarter-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Brazil bounced back after a shock 0-1 defeat to Cameroon in their last group-stage match by sealing a dominant 4-1 win over South Korea in the Round of 16.

Neymar, who returned in the South Korea game after missing out two group-stage matches, will once again lead Brazil's charge in their 'Mission Hexa'.

On the other hand, Croatia dragged a spirited Japan team all the way to the penalty shootout, and used their experience to send the Blue Samurai back to Japan.

Croatia will be looking towards their old guard Luka Modric to come up with the goods against a fierce Brazil team.

Croatia: Dominik Livakovic, Borna Sosa, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Juranovic Brazil: Alisson, Eder Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Raphinha, Richarlison

Neymar enters the quarter-final match with 76 goals for Brazil in 123 appearances for the Selecao.

Neymar scored once against South Korea in the Round-of-16. Another goal today will make Neymar's goal tally on par with the great Pele.

Casemiro fouled Kovacic and Croatia get the first free-kick of the match. But Luka Modric's free-kick was disappointing and Brazil easily fended it away.

Vinicius made an inquisitive run at the left-wing and took a shot at the Croatia goal. But the Croat keeper was up to the task.

Croatia nearly took an early lead, but Perisic failed to connect an enticing pass right in front of the goal.

Croatia get the first corner of the match. But Modric's delivery was disappointing.

Brazil defence looks unsettled in front of Croat pressure. Modric put an enticing cross in the Brazil box but Brazil somehow avert the danger.

After a difficult 10-minute period for Brazil, Vinicius nearly sneaked past the Croatia defence but couldn't thread the ball through a wall of Croatian defenders.

A few seconds later, Neymar skipped past two Croatian players and entered the d-box, but his shot was easily grabbed by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Brazilian left-back Danilo sees the first yellow of the match. Croatia get a free-kick at the edge of the box. But Modric's delivery was once again disappointing.

Brozovic shoved Vinicius in front of the referee to stop a promising Brazil attack. The referee awards Brazil a free-kick but nothing comes of it.

Brozovic fouled Neymar in front the Croatia box and sees a yellow card.

After a few minutes of sustained possession, Vinicius tried to sneak past the firm Croatia defence and was fouled at the edge of the box.

Neymar took the free-kick but the Croatia keeper safely collected the ball without much effort.

Brazil found life difficult against a resolute Croatia team, who had a fair share of chances to score themselves. But at the end of the first 45 minutes, both teams stand on equal terms.

Possession: Brazil 51% - Croatia 49%

Shots: Brazil 5 - Croatia 3

Shots on Target: Brazil 3 - Croatia 0

Fouls: Brazil 6 - Croatia 8

Yellow Cards: Brazil 1 - Croatia 1

Brazil take a couple of shots inside 30 seconds, Croatia somehow survive.

Gvardiol nearly scored an own goal while trying to clear a cross from Militao. Neymar then took a shot at the Croatia goal from inside the box, which a Croat defenders fends off. The referee conducted a VAR check on a potential hand-ball, but nothing came off it.

Richarlison held up the ball, to open up space for Neymar inside the box. Neymar was in a one-on-one situation with the Croat keeper but couldn't send the ball home.

Antony comes in for Raphinha

Rodrygo in for Vinicius

Rodrygo almost made an immediate impact, giving a pass to Paqueta, who was denied by the outstretched hand of Croatia keeper Livakovic 

Casemiro sees a yellow card after fouling Kramaric

Croatia make a double change. IN- Petkovic, Vlasic. OUT- Kramaric, Pasalic

A through pass from Rodrygo, almost resulted in a goal for Brazil. But Livakovic once again made a point blank save, this time denying Richarlison with his knee.

Brazil makes their change. Richarlison replaced by Pedro

Croatia withstood a barrage of Brazil attack in the last 15 minutes to take the game into extra time.

Brazil took 10 shots on goal in the second half, five of them were on target. But the Croatian goalkeeper is having the match of his life, as he has been equal to the task on every occasion.

Brazil got their first corner in extra time, but Pedro's header was off target for Brazil.

Brozovic nearly scores for Croatia against the run of play but puts the ball over the bar

Neymar breaks the deadlock for Brazil with a goal to remember.

Neymar started the attack from the midfield, passing it to Paqueta, who returned the ball to Neymar who had made his inside the box by then.

Neymar didn't rush his shot, dragged the ball to the right and further away from the keeper, before finally firing the ball home.

With this goal, Neymar joined Pele as Brazil's highest ever goal-scorer.

Petkovic makes it 1-1.

The fate of the Brazil-Croatia quarter-final will be decided in a penalty shootout after both sides were squared up at 1-1 after two hours of intense action.

Neymar had seemingly won it with a stunning goal in the first half of extra time. But, Petkovic equalised in the 117th minute to take the game into penalties.

Croatia: Vlasic scores

Brazil: Rodrygo denied by Livakovic

Croatia: Majer scores

Brazil: Casemiro scores

Croatia: Modric scores

Brazil: Pedro scores

Croatia: Orsic scores

Brazil: Marquinhos denied by the bar

Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed their penalty kicks while Croatia scored from all four of their shots, to beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties.