Brazil went from a first gala period against South Korea during which Tite’s players chained wonderful technical gestures and a honeyed goal, to the first 45 minutes against very rotten Croatia . Uninspired. They were totally neutralized by the Croats who closed all the spaces. No successful dribbling, no offensive shift at the end and therefore no goal celebrated in a carnivalesque way. On the contrary, it is Croatia which nevertheless comes out of 120 intense minutes against Japan that we have seen much more.

.In their usual style, relying on midfielders who know how to do everything on a lawn, the reigning vice-world champions ran, won duels and made clean ball outings to sting the Brazilians. Croatia does not have everything, however. In front, they lack a little talent to hurt and conclude the counter-attacks victoriously. Goalkeeper Alison thus spent a quiet first period. Without any stop to make.

Unbeatable (almost) Livaković

On returning from the locker room, the Brazilians tried to move up a gear and step on the accelerator. They had better opportunities to open the scoring. But Livaković, like a good guardian angel, always kept an eye out. After brilliantly avoiding a CSC from Gvardiol on a cross from Raphina, the goalkeeper took the upper hand in turn over Richarlison (54′ ) , Paqueta (65 ‘, 79′), Neymar (76 ‘ ) and did not give in during the 90 minutes of regulation time. He will not be able to do anything, on the other hand, on the genius of Neymar who at the end of the first extension and after a beautiful one-two, erases him and catapults the leather into the back of the net

The child prodigy had just freed 214 million Brazilians and thousands of Auriverde fans around the world. But Croatia wouldn’t be Croatia if they couldn’t equalise. It does so thanks to Petkovic who, on the first shot on target from the Croats of the game, puts the two teams tied (117th) and sends them to penalties at the same time. A session that always smiles on Croatia. Livaković , once again heroic, allows his team to advance to the semi-finals. The vice-world champions are now waiting for the winner between the Netherlands and Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

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RUTEMBESA Anicet