POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Dec 10, 2022 : Attacks and counter-attacks were going on in the field. And Duruduru was booking the audience. As the game was goalless in the first half, the match went into extra time. Neymar was the savior of Brazil in that episode.
Brazil took the first shot on goal in the fifth minute of the match held at Al Rayyan’s Education City Stadium. Vinicius Junior’s shot was easily blocked by Croat goalkeeper Livakvic. Croatia got their first good chance in the 13th minute. Josip Uranovic walks the ball from his own half almost to the D-box. But despite receiving the ball in the box, Ivan Perisic could not take a shot past Militao.
Borna Sosa blocked Vinicius’ shot near the penalty spot in the 20th minute. A few seconds later Neymar’s weak shot was blocked by the Croat goalkeeper. In the 30th minute, Perisic’s long-range shot went wide of the crossbar. In the 42nd minute, Brazil received a free kick in a convenient position. But Neymar disappointed with the shot along the goalkeeper. The first half ended goalless.
After the break, Brazil began to attack strongly. Vinicius Jr. could not score despite getting the ball in a great place in the box. Brazil began to attack Croat strongholds from time to time. But success was not coming. In the 48th minute, Neymar’s shot from the penalty spot was blocked by Yosko Guardiol. This time Uranovic’s handball was checked by VAR, but it was ‘accidental’. So Brazil did not get a penalty.
Neymar got another chance in the 55th minute. Couldn’t take a strong shot after receiving the ball from Richarlison. In the 66th minute, Lucas Paqueta made an incredible miss. Can’t beat the goalkeeper in front of the ball in the D box! After 10 minutes, Neymar’s shot from the corner was blocked by the goalkeeper. In the 80th minute, Paketa got the ball in the D box but took a shot at the goalkeeper. The match goes into extra time.
In the 16th minute of extra time, Neymar put Brazil ahead by scoring a wonderful goal from a difficult angle. But there was still drama left. Croatia equalized two minutes before the end of extra time. The match is decided by a tiebreaker. Brazil’s forehead burned in that tiebreaker. After 2002, the five-time world champions had to return empty-handed from the World Cup. Hexa mission not completed.
