Brazil was eliminated from the World Cup after losing in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in the previous five competitions.
After 120 minutes of play ended in a 1-1 draw, the pre-tournament favourites fell to Croatia 4-2 on penalties.
Croatia, which defeated Japan on penalties in the round of 16, has now tied Germany’s record of four victories in four World Cup shootouts.
But on a particular evening at Education City Stadium, other records were also broken. In the middle of the field, more than 30 yards from Croatia’s goal, the PSG playmaker picked up the ball. He then used two one two to split the Croatian defense in half, first with Rodrygo and then with Lucas Paqueta, before bouncing off Borna Sosa’s challenge and dodging goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
But Livakovic would ultimately win the day. Rodrygo was stopped from 12 yards out by the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper, who earlier in the week had saved three Japanese penalties.
That was Brazil’s opening score.
Although the shootout didn’t last very long, Neymar was supposed to take No. 5.
Following goals from Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Luka Modric, and Mislav Orsic for Croatia, Marquinhos struck the post with Brazil’s fourth kick.
