World Cup Round-Up (Quarter-Finals Day 1) – Croatia Stun Brazil and Argentina Advance
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Croatia and Argentina qualified for the semi-finals of the World Cup on Friday, defeating Brazil and the Netherlands, respectively. Both clashes went all the way to penalties and delivered high-class drama throughout.
In the early kick-off, Croatia came from behind to shock pre-tournament favourites Brazil. The Netherlands also came from behind to force extra-time against Argentina, but Lionel Messi and co. eventually prevailed.
It’s time to relive all the action from another memorable day in Qatar. Here is Friday’s World Cup round-up.
Croatia Reach Semi-Finals Again as Brazil Fall Short
Many believed that Brazil would be too strong for a seemingly fatigued Croatia outfit, but the Croatians were arguably the better team in the first half at Education City Stadium.
After the break, however, the Brazilians turned up the heat and created multiple goalscoring opportunities. Even so, Zlatko Dalic’s side managed to weather the storm and force the tie into extra-time.
In the 106th minute, Neymar finally broke the deadlock – finishing off an excellent passage of play to move level with Pele in Brazil’s all-time scoring charts. But it wasn’t the winning goal.
With only a handful of minutes remaining in extra-time, Bruno Petkovic equalised for Croatia – sending the game to penalties. The Croatians managed a solitary shot on target throughout the tie, while Brazil recorded 11 attempts on target.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved Brazil’s first penalty from Rodrygo, before Croatia scored four successive spot kicks. Marquinhos then missed Brazil’s fourth to send Croatia into the last four.
Argentina Defeat Dutch on Penalties After Fiery Clash
Just like the first quarter-final, Friday’s second encounter was packed with thrills and spills. Indeed, the 19 yellow cards dished out by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz tell you everything you need to know about the clash.
Lionel Messi set up Nahuel Molina for to give Argentina the lead on 35 minutes, before the PSG superstar doubled his team’s lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half. But the Netherlands refused to lie down.
Substitute Wout Weghorst scored on 83 and 101 minutes to force extra-time, giving the Dutch a lifeline. However, after 30 minutes of goalless action, the second penalty shootout of the day took place.
Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez proved to be the hero, saving penalties from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis. Meanwhile, Messi, Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Monteil converted for the South American champions.
Enzo Fernandes missed Argentina’s fourth penalty, but Lautaro Martinez scored the winner. The Argentines will now face Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
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