Croatia oust favourites Brazil 4-2 on penalties to reach semi-finalCroatia players celebrate qualifying for the semifinals after winning the penalty shootout on Friday. (Reuters photo)AL RAYYAN: Croatia stunned favourites Brazil 4-2 on penalties on Friday to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the second time in a row after battling back from a goal down in extra time, in one of the biggest knockout-phase upsets in the tournament's history. Apart from a weak Vinicius Jr. shot, Brazil had little to offer in terms of attack with Neymar off the pace and shut out by a hard-working backline. Neymar came even closer in the 55th when he was sent through by Richarlison but keeper and man-of-the-match Dominik Livakovic blocked it. The Brazilians, who have now lost four of their last five World Cup quarter-finals, all to European opposition, missed another chance in the 66th when Lucas Paqueta was denied by Livakovic.

Source: Bangkok Post December 10, 2022 09:24 UTC