With plans to add a sixth jewel to their current collection of five FIFA Champions titles, Brazil will square off against hardcore Croatia in the first Quarter Final of the World Cup on Friday at Education City Stadium. The Selecao progressed to the Last 8 after defeating South Korea in Knockouts, while the Checkered Ones advanced after putting Japan on the back foot and narrowly advancing on penalties.
Big moments for Team Croatia as they reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup twice in a row and for the third time in their history, and the credit goes to their highest-level football skills. The team defeated Japan 3-1 on penalties in the knockouts to mark this scenario. Notably, the Checkered Ones are no strangers to this dramatic situation as, during the last five World Cup knockout games, the team went through the extra time in four, winning three of them on penalties.
Croatia was placed in Group F alongside Morocco, Belgium, and Canada, while they finished 2nd in their respective settlement with 5 points, winning one and drawing two of their three games. The team started their group campaign against Morocco and ended up in a goalless draw. In the second match, they defeated Canada by 4-0, followed by another goalless draw against Belgium.
In contrast, the Selecao will endeavor to fancy their hopes of calming down Croatia without encountering mishaps. Undoubtedly, they displayed quality football through their World Cup journey, including a 4-1 victory over South Korea to book their slot into the quarter-finals. Of course, the team showcased a similar kind of flair show that its worldwide fans are accustomed to. It is pertinent to mention that the Brazilian side will mark their seventh successive appearance in World Cup’s quarters on Friday against Croatia.
Brazil finished first in Group G with 6 points despite falling to Cameroon 1-0 in the last group stage match. They defeated Serbia in the opening match of their tournament, winning 2-0, and then beaten in the next game by 1-0, followed by a historic defeat by Cameroon, and then their outshined South Africa by 4-1 in knockouts to reach quarter-finals.
Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Casemiro, Paqueta; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr; Richarlison
