PREVIEW: World Cup – Quarter-Final – Croatia v Brazil

Croatia has been impressive over the last few major competitions and is undoubtedly always an outside favourite. The Vatreni have silenced the critics over age concerns in the squad, with an almost identical performance from their 2018 run, riding out extra-time and securing quarter-final qualification over penalties.

While there is no easy group in any World Cup, Group F seemed arguably the most cut-and-dry on paper. Despite the outlook, Croatia had to really grind out their opening point in a 0-0 stalemate versus Morocco. Their follow-up fixture against Canada showed the world they are still able to outclass, outwit and overall outplay their opponents with a 4-1 victory.

Croatia needed to avoid defeat over the number two-ranked FIFA nation, Belgium, and they were capable of doing so in another goalless deadlock to finish group runners-up. Finally, a round of 16 clash was set up with giant slayers Japan, but after 120 minutes of play, a 1-1 draw was the result and with composure, Croatia breezed from the penalty spot.

Zlatko Dalic has had a fine run as head coach of Croatia, and after this 2022 World Cup, he will have to rebuild. For now, Zlatko has had very few injury concerns as just left-back Borna Sosa was ill alongside Josip Stanisic missing the Japan round of 16 clash due to a muscle injury – both are doubts heading into the quarters. Croatia has a host of crucial players riding a yellow card (Dejan Lovren, Luka Modric, and Mateo Kovacic) that should they avoid getting in the ref’s book, will have a clean slate with progression.

Everyone backing Croatia to defeat France in the 2018 World Cup final put their performance down to playing extra-time in every knockout fixture, and with an obviously aged squad will hope to avoid that heading into a tie with Brazil.

How Brazil displays its on-field brilliance is eagerly anticipated by football fans across the globe, and that is what viewers have been privy to over recent matches. The Selecao were given the label of tournament favourites and the South Americans unequivocally have lived up to it.

Brazil faced Serbia in matchday one and opened their account with a 2-0 victory and their infamous number nine jersey – worn by Richarlison – scored arguably the goal of the tournament. All the hype seemed to be backed up by their style and grace on the field and when they encountered their second matchup, Switzerland, they went on to dismantle them but did leave it a little late to steal a 1-0 win.

Heading into their final group stage tie, Brazil had yet to face a shot on goal and secured qualification before facing Cameroon, however, they suffered a 1-0 defeat via a second-half added-time goal. Lastly, Brazil stretched its 32-year record of progression to the World Cup quarter-finals after making football look easy yet again with a 4-1 win over South Korea.

The Brazilian treatment room has been well-occupied during their short time in Qatar, but the Selecao doctor Rodrigo Lasmar has provided a quick turnaround on the star of the show, Neymar. However, Tite has lost both Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles for the remainder of the tournament after both men sustained knee problems in the clash with Cameroon, and a further hip issue for Alex Sandro has left them short at left-back.

Brazil is one step closer to the only honour that matters, the World Cup trophy, and for Neymar and co. to cement their legacy, another victory on the continental stage is an obligation.