The Croatia and Brazil match started with Croatia quickly dominated the ball and in the 13th minute, Josip Juranovic created a chance for Croatia. Unfortunately, Ivan Perisic failed to make contact and the shot was short of the goal.
Near the end of the first half, Brazil got a free kick in the 41st minute. Neymar’s shot tested Livakovic’s quick reflexes and by the end of the first half, the score was still 0-0.
In the second half, Brazil turned up the heat but Croatia’s defense stayed strong. It wasn’t until the 105thminute in extra-time that Brazil opened the scoring with Neymar hitting from a tight angle and kicking the ball into the roof of the net. With 15 minutes left to the match, Croatia fought hard to get an equalizer.
Bruno Petkovic equalized for Croatia with a brilliant shot in the 117th minute. With the score at 1-1 the match headed into a penalty shootout.
Croatia proved solid in the penalty shootout and won as both Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed their spot kicks for Brazil. Croatia have now won back to back penalty shootouts and will move into the semi-finals with much confidence.
The Netherlands and Argentina game was another close match. Netherlands held out until the 36th minute with Nahuel Molina scored the opener for Argentina after receiving a brilliant pass from Lionel Messi.
Argentina did not let up in their attack in the second half. Messi doubled Argentina’s lead in the 73rd minute with a well taken penalty.
With less than 20 minutes left to play, Netherlands turned up the heat and in the 83rd minute, they got on the score sheet with Wout Weghorst reducing the deficit with a well placed header.
In the 10th minute of additional time, Netherlands equalized. Weghorst tucked in a sublime finish off a freekick to bring the game to extra-time.
Extra-time failed to settle the deadlock and the match moved into penalties. Argentine keeper Emiliano Martinez produced more penalty heroics to save twice and send Argentina into the last four.
The match will go down in history as the match that saw the most yellow cards ever in a World Cup with 18 yellow cards being shown by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz. The 15 shown to players on the field is a World Cup record.
Will Messi inspire Argentina to the finals or will Croatia’s Luka Modric be able to carry his team into back to back World Cup finals?
