Underdog Croatia advance to semi-finals after knocking Brazil out of FIFA World Cup

AL RAYYAN – Brazil fans are in tears as underdog Croatia secured victory, knocking out Brazil from FIFA World Cup 4-2 on the penalty shoot-out.

Today's game is said to be a shock in the World Cup of surprises as confident Brazil had their last dance at the event after a thrilling encounter. 

Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic first saved Rodrygo's maidens penalty while Marquinhos hit the post to give Croatia a 4-2 shootout win. Both sides scored in extra time and went to penalty kicks, where Croatia outclassed Brazil. 

The game finished at 1-1 after the extra time as Croatia's Petkovic neutralized what was expected to be the match-winning goal from Neymar Jr at the brink of the first half of extra time.

Full confident Brazil and Croatia evenly locked horns throughout the game and put on a defiant show, restricting the other side from breaking the deadlock. The top-class defense took the match to enter extra time.

In today's game, prolific goalscorer and star player Neymar Jr has equalled Pele's record as the country's leading goalscorer after striking in extra time. He scored 77 goals in 124 matches for Brazil.

Earlier, Pele, who is in hospital battling cancer, etched his name in history books as he scored goals in 92 appearances.

With now Brazil moving out of the event, the winner of Argentina and the Netherlands' game will face off against Croatia on Friday.

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