Fifa World Cup: Messi’s Argentina reach semi-final, Neymar’s Brazil end journey
Both quarter-finals were decided by penalty shoot-outs, Croatia beat Brazil 2-4 thanks to a good save by goalkeeper Livakovic, and Netherlands lost 3-4 despite a good game.
After the sensational contests in both quarter-final matches of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Croatia defeated the best team of the event Brazil in penalty kicks, whereas, Argentina also made it to the semi-finals by defeating the Netherlands.
The favourite of the event and the world-famous striker Neymar’s team Brazil, fans were disappointed in football. On the other hand, the fans of Lionel Messi, who is playing in his last World Cup, are happy because Argentina reached the semi-finals.
In the first quarter-final of the mega event played at the Education City Stadium in Doha, Croatia defeated Brazil by 4 goals to 2 on penalties and ousted the opponent from the event.
#HRV v #BRA pic.twitter.com/XPfGJyN2zJ
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 9, 2022
In the knockout competition, Brazil and Croatia were unable to score a goal in the scheduled 90 minutes of play.
However, in the extra time of the first extra half, Neymar scored a goal for Brazil to give the team the lead over Croatia, which was equalised by Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic in the second extra half to send the game in favour of Brazil to the penalty kicks stage.
Croatia’s hero… again! 🇭🇷🧤#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/w8QroYs2aJ
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 9, 2022
In the penalty kicks phase, goalkeeper Dominik Livaković brilliantly defended Brazil’s Rodrigo’s penalty, while Brazil’s last penalty was wasted, as a result of which Croatia defeated Brazil by 2-4 and reached the semi-finals.
The scenes! 🤩🇭🇷#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/oqD5m1Icjx
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 9, 2022
The second quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands at the Lucille Stadium was tied at 2-2 in regulation time. The Netherlands dominated the match and had 60% of the ball possession, but Argentina’s players also took advantage of the opportunities.
The first goal for Argentina was scored by Molina in the 35th minute, while the second goal was scored by Messi on a penalty kick in the 73rd minute.
All of the emotions… pic.twitter.com/55zBVmMf9h
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 9, 2022
Neither team could score in extra time, after which the match was decided on a penalty shootout, and Argentina defeated the Netherlands 3 goals to 4 to advance to the semi-finals. The teams of Argentina and Croatia will clash in the first semi-final on December 14.
