World Cup drama! Brazil fall to Croatia, Argentina fend off Netherlands; Saturday’s best bets
In a World Cup that has seen some upsets and stunners, we had our biggest yet! Brazil, led by Neymar and the favorites to win it all in Qatar, were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Croatia on penalties. Now, the 2018 World Cup runners-up aim to oust Lionel Messi and Argentina, who fended off the Netherlands (also on penalties) to reach the semifinals.
And the fun won’t stop. We expect plenty of fireworks in Saturday’s games on the other side of bracket. Will Morocco continue its dream run and get past Portugal? And will France and Kylian Mbappe keep his Golden Boot campaign and repeat title hopes against England?
Be sure to check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Qatar. Here’s what you might have missed from Friday’s World Cup happenings, and a look ahead to Saturday’s action.
End of era for Brazil? Neymar equals Pele in upset to Croatia
It seemed like the perfect script was being written. In a game that had gone to added extra time and with a spot to the semifinals on the line, Neymar’s close-range goal after some tremendous attacking play gave Brazil a late lead against Croatia. Not only did it seem enough to close out the game, it put Neymar level with legend Pele at 77 goals for most scored in Brazil men’s team history.
But then came the first rewrite. Croatia, who hadn’t a shot on target all game, tied the game when Bruno Petkovic’s shot took a deflection and nestled into the back of the net in the 117th minute.
And then the whole script was flipped as the game came down to a penalty shootout. Brazil came undone, with Rodrygo’s attempt saved by keeper Dominik Livakovic and Marquinhos bouncing his shot off the post, while Croatia converted all of theirs to claim a memorable 4-2 win after the 1-1 stalemate at end of regulation.
Brazil entered the tournament as the odds-on team to take their title tally to six. Croatia, who lost to France in the 2018 final, weren’t eyed to replicate that historic run. But under the guidance of midfield maestro Luka Modric, the Croatians stymied the Brazilians, who for the first time in Qatar lost the possession battle. At this point, are you likely to bet against them from reaching another final?
The scenes couldn’t be more different. Jubilation from the Croatian players ran past the crumpled and exhausted Brazilians. Neymar was reduced to tears after equalizing the record of one of his country’s sporting heroes, but left without even taking his chance in the shootout. And it seemed like an end of era if Neymar decides not to play for Brazil again.
If you are a fan of the Seleção, this script didn’t have a happy ending.
Argentina avoid collapse, fend off Dutch on penalties in fiesty win
Just when we thought the day’s antics were done, we were given another dose of the dramatics in Argentina’s wild 4-3 win over the Netherlands on penalties after a rollercoaster 2-2 finish in regulation.
The first half was a fairly drab affair until Messi opened it up with a ridiculous reverse pass. He drifted along the edge of the Netherlands box and, with one flick, took four Dutch defenders out of the play and found the onrushing Nahuel Molina, who had space to side-foot it past Andries Noppert.
When Messi added a second from the penalty spot, it looked like Argentina were home free. But then came the 15 minutes of Dutch brilliance to close out the 90 minutes. Wout Weghorst’s header was planted brilliantly past Emiliano Martinez with seven minutes of normal time remaining. Then in the 10th minute of injury time, they conjured one of the best set pieces to grace any World Cup for Weghorst’s second.
At this stage, referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz had already lost control of the match, who handed out 17 yellow cards (but no reds?) and had to pause the game twice as the benches emptied on the pitch in ensuing scuffles.
In fact, the penalty shootout almost felt a bit anticlimatic as Argentina emerged from the madness with a victory and a place in the semifinals.
