Neymar's record-tying goal on Friday was in vain as Croatia defeated Brazil 4-2 in a penalty shootout to send Brazil home from the World Cup.
When Neymar tied the legendary Pele with his 77th international goal midway through extra time at Education City Stadium, Brazil appeared destined to go to the semifinals.
Marquinhos, a Brazilian defender, deflected Bruno Petkovic's shot in with four minutes left to force a penalty shootout, but he missed it, sending Croatia into the round of eight.
Dominik Livakovic, the star performer, had stopped Rodrygo's first attempt in the 120 minutes preceding the shootout. Neymar did not take a penalty as the favorites were eliminated.
Livakovic had to make better saves after the break after stopping Neymar twice in the first half with relatively easy stops. First, he blocked Josko Gvardiol's deflection, then the Brazilian number 10's close-range shot by standing tall.
Before the end of normal time, Lucas Paqueta and Neymar made two more superb saves, but it wasn't until the 106th minute that the crucial moment needed to defeat Livakovic finally materialized.
Neymar possessed the strength and dexterity to fight off a defender, round Livakovic, and drill home following a one-two with Rodrygo and a quick exchange with Paqueta. However, even that miraculous goal was insufficient as Brazil was stunned when Petkovic's shot came in off Marquinhos with four minutes left.
By stopping Rodrygo's easy effort, Livakovic, the hero against Japan in the round of 16, handed Zlatko Dalic's squad the edge. As a result of Croatia converting all four of their penalty kicks, Tite's team was eliminated after Marquinhos' shot off the post.
With the exception of the 2018 World Cup final, which Croatia lost to France, eight of Croatia's last nine World Cup elimination games have now gone to extra time. Despite not being considered one of the favorites, they will now play either Argentina or the Netherlands for a spot in the final after finishing second four years ago.
Brazil, on the other hand, can only blame themselves. After Neymar's moment of brilliance, to concede so carelessly with so little time left was a true folly, and they paid the price in what is expected to be Tite's final game in command, while Neymar may have played his final World Cup game. Brazil was the first team to lose after taking a 1-0 lead in extra time of a World Cup semifinal match.
LIVAKOVIC PERFORMING AT HIS BEST
Livakovic, who made history by being just the third goalie to make three saves in a single World Cup penalty shoot-out with his heroics against Japan, is responsible for Croatia's advancement from the round of 16.
Livakovic, who made history by being just the third goalie to make three saves in a single World Cup penalty shoot-out with his heroics against Japan, is responsible for Croatia's advancement from the round of 16.
With his 11 saves, the most by a Croatian in a World Cup game, the Dinamo Zagreb shot-stopper carried that confidence into this encounter. However, it was his save in the shootout that put the emphasis squarely on Brazil; it will not be included in the official statistics.
MARQUINHOS' MISERY
One of the best defenders in the world, Marquinhos, failed miserably in his attempt to block Petkovic's shot, which looped over Alisson.
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