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Argentina Through to Semis; Brazil OUT

Photo of Interns Interns10/12/2022 - 09:10 am

With two of the four semi-finalists already determined, we take a look back at Friday’s sensational show of FIFA World Cup action.

Early signs suggest Qatar 2022 has peaked at the quarter-final stage, following two clashes of colossal magnitude on Friday. Viewers were treated to four hours of compelling football in which both last-eight ties were decided on penalties.

Across both games, all but two of the six goals were scored beyond the 82nd minute.

– Croatia 1-1 Brazil [4-2 pen]

The Croatians really took the game to Brazil from the first whistle, showing they had no intention of rolling over for the five-time world champions.

The midfield trio of Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, and Marcelo Brozović worked extremely hard at winning the ball and recycling it in the middle third. With no primary focal point in attack, the 2018 finalists are desperately lack an end product and the sides reached half-time with the deadlock still intact.

Brazil head coach Tite attempted to swing the game in his team’s favour as he introduced several high-profile attacking players, such as Antony and Rodrygo.

Despite the fresh legs, Croatia remained firm on and off the ball. Brazil had a total 11 shots on goal, though few vigorously tested goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. Croatia held on for a goalless draw in regular time, giving the teams an extra 30 minutes to find a winner.

On the brink of half-time in extra-time, Neymar graced onlookers with a glimpse of individual brilliance to put the South Americans ahead. This sensational effort was his 77th goal in Brazil colours, equalling record-holder Pele in that respect.

Remarkably, the Croatians struck back in the 116th minute through substitute Bruno Petković, with what was their first shot on target all game. With insufficient time left for Brazil to conjure a response, this forced penalties at Education City Stadium.

Nikola Vlašić scored the first spot-kick of the shootout before Rodrygo was denied by Livaković. All of the next five kicks were converted after which Marquinhos thumped his onto the base of the post, crushing Brazil’s dreams of a sixth world title.
Tite has since relinquished his role as manager of the Brazilian national team.

Brazil had not been involved in a World Cup penalty shootout since 1998, and it showed. Croatia, meanwhile, were still fresh from their narrow triumph over Japan just four days earlier. At the 2018 World Cup, the Croatians edged Denmark and hosts Russia (both on penalties) on route to reaching the final.

– Netherlands 2-2 Argentina [3-4 pen]

In the second quarter-final, another South American giant was in action as Argentina faced the Netherlands.

A quiet first-half came to life 10 minutes before the interval as Nahuel Molina drew first blood, only made possible by a delightful and ingenious pass perfectly executed by Lionel Messi.

La Albiceleste remained in control for the most part and they were afforded the chance to double their advantage when they were awarded a penalty in the second period after Denzel Dumfries brought down Marcos Acuña in the area.

With no hesitation Messi tucked away from 12 yards, for his fourth goal at Qatar 2022.

The Dutch weren’t down and out just yet. Louis van Gaal made a few tactical tweaks, introducing two centre-forwards of significant stature in Luuk de Jong and Wout Weghorst. The latter halved the deficit with less than 10 minutes of the 90′ to play. The two-metre tall striker then netted a dramatic equaliser, 10 minutes into stoppage time, following a shrewd set-piece routine by Die Oranje.

There were yellow cards aplenty at Lusail Stadium, with no fewer than 17 bookings dished out by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.

Neither side could find a decisive goal in extra-time, and for the second time in one day the quarter-final tie was to be decided via penalties. The last time either of the teams were involved in a penalty shootout at the World Cup was against each other, eight years ago in the semi-finals.

Messi, Leandro Paredes, and Gonzalo Montiel all dispatched their spot-kicks for Argentina, while goalkeeper Emi Martínez kept out Steven Berghuis and Virgil van Dijk’s efforts from 12 yards.

Weghorst and De Jong both found the net from the spot but it was too little, too late for the Dutch. Lautaro Martínez sent Andries Noppert the wrong way for the South American champions to advance to the last-four.

For Van Gaal, this was his last dance with Die Oranje following three stints in charge of the national team. Not including penalty shootouts, the 71-year-old has never been on the losing side at the World Cup finals. His only two defeats at the tournament have been to Argentina on penalties, twice.

With one semi-final pairing confirmed, there are still two places in the last-four up for grabs at the time of writing.

Morocco take on Portugal at Al-Thumama Stadium before England and France go head-to-head Al Bayt stadium later on Saturday.

Initial Odds – Bet365

Argentina 1.83
Croatia 5.25
Draw 3.25

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Photo of Interns Interns10/12/2022 - 09:10 am

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