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Following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, Croatia overcame tournament favourites Brazil 4-2 on penalties to advance to the World Cup semifinals.
After defeating Japan on penalties in the round of 16, the runners-up from last year survived their second straight shootout and will now take on either the Netherlands or Argentina, who are scheduled to play later.
Brazilian superstar Neymar thought he had won the match when he rifled in an extra-time goal for the five-time world champions during a tense and dramatic evening.
Three minutes from the end of extra time, Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic scored an equaliser with his left foot, breaking the hearts of the Brazilians in Doha’s Education City Stadium.
Neymar, who had been largely ineffective up until that point, launched an attack outside the box in stoppage time of the first period, played two one-two passes in quick succession to confuse the weary Croatian defence, and then rounded the goalkeeper to tie Brazilian legend Pele’s record of 77 international goals.
With Petkovic’s equaliser, the Croats forced penalties and prevailed in the shootout, with Livakovic saving Rodrygo’s penalty kick and Marquinos hitting the post.
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