JONATHAN SHALLARD in DOHA: Croatia extended their incredible record in World Cup shootouts to four out of four by defeating favourites and five-times champions Brazil 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 extra time draw in their quarter-final in the Education City Stadium.

Croatia’s penalties were struck unerring past Brazil keeper Alisson by substitutes Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer and Mislav Orsic plus repetitively-outstanding captain Luka Modric. Dominik Livakovic, hero of the second round shootout victory over Japan, saved the first Brazilian kick from Rodrygo yet had gone the wrong way when Marquinhos jabbed the fourth kick, fatally and decisively, against a post..

Brazil were condemned by an old, old failing. Having taken the lead through Neymar just before midway through extra-time they continued to charge forward and were punished by a counter-attacking equaliser in the 116^th minute by Bruno Petkovic.

The match had seen an intense clash of styles and strategies. Croatia had working intensively to contain Brazil’s technical superiority but experienced increasing difficulty as the clock ran down.

The first half was a phase of possibilities rather than probabilities, personaified by the midfield confrontation between two old Real Madrid team-mates in the relentless Casemiro for Brazil and the ever-eager Modric for Croatia.

Vinicius tested keeper Livakovic with a speculative curling shot after four minutes and failed with an attempted one-two through the heart of defence. Casemiro had a drive deflected for a corner while Neymar saw a free kick deflected safely into the goalkeeper’s arms shortly before halftime.

Croatia created even less but then they were deploying a more compact, controlled strategy.

Josip Juranovic was magnificent at right back, defending effectively but also capitalising on the space Brazil allowed him to accelerate into attack. One cross was just too quick for Ivan Perisic who then did collect another crossfield offering but shot hastily too high.

Danger theatens

Dangerous raids at both ends immediately after the interval ended in the deflation of offside calls as Brazil sought to raise the pace of the game and test Croatia’s veteran legs.

The five-times record champions should have taken the lead in the 54^th minute. Richarlison drew out Dejan Lovren, swivelled and sent Neymar through the inside left space. For a player of his stature and talent this was straightforward goal chance but his shot ricocheted safely away off the advancing Livakovic’s outstretched foot.

An extent of Brazil’s frustration was exposed in the replacements of wingers Raphinha and Vinicius with Antony and Rodrygo in attempt to drive home their increasing superiority.

Livakovic came to Croatia’s rescue again as he stood up to the onrushing Lucas Paqueta before Neymar was denied again by the legs of the goalkeeper who then dropped on a Paqueta drive through a forest of legs from the edge of the penalty area.

Extra time drama

Early in extra time Croatia manufactured their best chance of the match. Substitute Petkovic broke down the left, cut across the face of the Brazilian penalty box and squared for Marcelo Brzovic. The midfielder was running free into space with the goal at his mercy . . . and thumped the ball high over the bar.

This appeared to have been a fatal miss as Neymar, playing throughout with focused, committed belief, exploded into the penalty box with a rapid-fire double exchange of passes and finally shot his record-equally 77th Brazil goal past Livakovic.

All over? Not at all. Croatia broke away, Orsic found space on the left to cross and cross for Petkovic to shoot beyond Alisson with aid of a slight deflection off a defender.

So to penalties.

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