Wow, what an action-packed day of quarter-final action we have had at the World Cup. Two games were settled by penalty shoot-outs with Croatia and Argentina progressing to the last four where they will meet each other for a place in the tournament showpiece.
Here is the World Cup daily wrap.
Croatia show they are the masters once again
It is getting ridiculous now. Five out of Croatia’s last six World Cup knockout matches have been won in either extra time or via penalty shoot-outs. The latter saw them topple tournament favourites Brazil on Friday after Bruno Petkovic’s late equaliser in extra time cancelled out what seemed to be match-winning goal from Neymar before the break of the added period. Croatia’s overwhelming experience in these tense situations saw them crush Tite’s side as Marquinhos missed the spot-kick required to keep his side in the shoot-out.
Neymar equals Pele’s record
It was a contrasting evening for Brazil’s leading man. The goal he scored which seemed to be the decisive goal in their defeat to Croatia saw him join the great Pele as his country’s all-time leading goalscorer with what was his 77th strike in Selecao colours. He managed to grab the milestone goal despite having a rather disappointing match overall whereby he struggled to unleash his majestic powers on the pitch. He also added that he wasn’t sure if could carry on playing for Brazil after this World Cup.
READ MORE:
-
Could the World Cup fairytale be coming true for Messi and Argentina?
-
Is the old English arrogance creeping in for the France game?
Tite leaves Brazil
Moments after Brazil’s gut-wrenching exit from the World Cup, Tite announced he was stepping down as head coach. The 61-year-old had been in charge of A Selecao for six years. "It is a painful defeat but I go in peace. It is the end of a cycle," said the former Corinthians boss.
"I already said that a year and a half ago. I didn't come here to win and then turn around and say I was going to stay. People who know me know that." He guided Brazil to the Copa America title in 2019.
Argentina and Messi’s World Cup fairytale continues
It was another frantic match that required penalties after the Netherlands came from two goals down to take the game to extra time with a last-gasp equaliser from substitute Wout Weghorst who scored both goals for his side. Lionel Messi had assisted and scored for Argentina before scoring their first spot-kick in the gripping shoot-out but his teammate Emiliano Martinez made himself the hero for saving two of the efforts he faced to inspire his side to victory. Messi’s second-half penalty saw him equal Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup as he netted his 10th goal in the competition.
