Livakovic the hero again as Croatia stun favourites Brazil to reach semis
TITE suggested his time as Brazil coach is over but defended his penalty tactics after they crashed out of the World Cup to Croatia. Marquinhos’ decisive spot kick hit the post after Dominik Livakovic had saved Rodrygo’s opening effort in the shootout to send Croatia into the last four with Neymar never getting a chance to step up.
Croatia did not miss with Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Luka Modric, Mislav Orsic all scoring to send them through 4- 2 on penalties following a 1- 1 draw after extra time.
Neymar had given Brazil the lead in the first- half of extra time – the Paris St Germain star equalling Pele’s Brazil scoring record with 77 FIFAregistered goals – only for Bruno Petkovic to level with three minutes left. But it was heartbreak for Neymar and Brazil with the striker due to go fifth in the shootout, yet there was no regret from Tite.
He said: “The fifth is the decisive one, there is more pressure and the players who are more mentally prepared are the ones to take this last penalty kick.
“The players know about my commitment and they know how proud I am of their performance. It’s the entire team who loses.
“We need to be ready to share our joy and willing to share our sadness. There is a new generation of players who will find strength in adversity. I understand I am the most responsible one but we are all responsible for the loss. It’s not about being a hero or a villain. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose.”
Tite hinted he is ready to walk away following Brazil’s exit.
“There are other great professionals who can replace me. Now I had the full [ World Cup] cycle. The cycle is over,” he added.
Stubborn Croatia had held off fivetime winners Brazil in a second half of impressive resistance where Livakovic denied Neymar.
A tame Vinicius Junior effort was the best Brazil could muster during a forgettable first half where both sides felt each other out.
Croatia were the better team, pressing well and able to create fine openings without ever being able to capitalise on them.
But they wilted soon after the break as Brazil took the game to their opponents.
Neymar’s scuffed shot fell to Vinicius who was denied by Livakovic – Croatia’s hero in their penalty shootout win against Japan in the last round.
Brazil had upped the tempo and Neymar should have done better than to shoot at Livakovic when he was teed up following good work by Richarlison after 55 minutes.
Croatia struggled to stem the Brazil tide and Livakovic was needed again to save smartly when Josko Gvardiol turned Eder Militao’s cross towards his own goal.
As an attacking force Croatia were non- existent with Brazil dominant yet unable to find a way through.
Richarlison and Raphinha were sacrificed for Pedro and Anthony but Brazil were forced to go to extra time by steely Croatia.
Brazil, though, looked to have run out of steam as Croatia started to threaten.
Brilliant feet by Petkovic took out the opposition defence and he squared for Marcelo Brozovic, only for the substitute to blaze over from 15 yards.
It was a miss Croatia would rue when Brazil grabbed a stunning opener in injury time.
Neymar danced past several challenges, showed quick feet to round Livakovic and lifted his shot into the roof of the net from close range. But, with Brazil closing in on the last four, Croatia stunned them with four minutes of extra- time left.
Mislav Orsic burst down the left and his cross was met by Petkovic, with his shot taking a deflection off Marquinhos to beat Alisson.
Livakovic denied Casemiro in extra time before penalties.
Rodrygo’s penalty was saved by the goalkeeper before Marquinhos hit the post to send Croatia through.
Shootout hero Livakovic said: “We’re experienced and we’re raised as fighters. We’re sparing no efforts and that’s the recipe for success.”
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic says his side will give it everything to reach another World Cup final.
“This is one of the greatest wins, it was a great match,” said Dalic, after Croatia reached their second successive World Cup semi- final, having been runners up in 2018.
“Brazil were very smart and had control in the match but we demonstrated what it is like not to surrender and what the Croatia team is.
“We are in the semi final, we are a small country. I congratulated every one of my players and they are great fighters. Only Croats can do that.
“We will prepare, now we are in the semi finals we will not surrender.
“We have very strong characters and we do not give up.
“As the game unfolded our chances grew. Only teams with great strength and character can come back in such a game.”