After a two-day break, the 2022 FIFA World Cup continues Friday live on FOX with Croatia taking on Brazil at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar in the tournament’s first quarterfinals match.
There’s one more semifinals spot up for grabs Friday, as the Netherlands face Argentina next (11 a.m. ET, FOX). The winners will advance to play each other in the semifinals, which begin Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Here are the top plays!
Setting the stage
Both Croatia and Brazil entered this World Cup with high hopes. So far, each squad has delivered but one of the squads will still be going home on Friday. Croatia is looking to make it to the Championship Match for a second straight world cup. It advanced out of Group F with five points (1-0-2) before defeating Japan in penalty kicks in the round of 16.
Brazil has looked like one of the dominant teams so far in the tournament. It won Group G with six points (2-1-0) before dominating South Korea, 4-1, in the round of 16 as Neymar returned.
Inspiration brings motivation?
Brazilian star Richarlison was emotional when he met soccer legend Ronaldo, who happens to be his idol, following its win on Monday.
Will Croatia be able to score?
The “World Cup Now” crew has doubts about Croatia’s ability to score against Brazil, and reasonably so. Croatia has scored five goals in its four matches so far, though four of them came in its match against Canada while Brazil has allowed just two goals through the entire tournament.
13′: Croatia getting chances
Mario Pasalic’s cross just failed to connect with Ivan Perisic in front of the net, which would’ve given a Croatian squad that’s struggled to score in this tournament a 1-0 lead.
20′: Precise passing, but no goal
Brazil’s passing was on point in the attacking box. However, Vinícius Júnior’s shot was blocked to keep the match scoreless.
25′: Danilo booked
The Brazilian back received a yellow card for his dangerous challenge in the first half.
42′: Neymar denied
The Brazilian star had a golden opportunity on a free kick right before halftime. His shot wasn’t good enough though as Dominik Livaković was able to make the stop for Croatia to keep the match scoreless going into halftime.
Stay tuned for updates!
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