Brazil hopes to defeat Croatia and go to World Cup semifinals

• Brazil is full of confidence going into Friday’s FIFA World Cup quarterfinal matchup against Croatia
• Neymar’s return spurred a performance in the round of 16 that was full of swagger and arrogance

With goals from Vinicius Junior, Richarlison, Lucas Paqueta, and a Neymar penalty, their eye-catching 4-1 triumph over South Korea delivered a chilling message to their opponents in Qatar.

The players celebrated their goals by showcasing their dance talents, and for at least 45 minutes the game was free-flowing and joyful. Tite, their 61-year-old coach, even joined in on the celebrations.

The Selecao’s performance at Stadium 974 in Doha was so exciting that several people compared it to the best and most entertaining Brazilian teams, including Pele’s 1970 squad and Socrates’ 1982 squad.

However, it was just one game, and it came after the five-time winners fell to Cameroon, their first loss in the opening round of a World Cup since 1998, and only managed to score three goals in three group games.

Given the results of prior World Cups, Brazil will undoubtedly accept a straightforward victory over Croatia at Education City Stadium rather than playing exhibition football.

Shining at their first #FIFAWorldCup 🤩

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Vinicius Jr. 🇧🇷 | @CBF_Futebol pic.twitter.com/lVbDblTjTw

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 8, 2022

Since winning their fifth championship in 2002, Brazil has lost all of their matches to European opponents, including humiliating losses to Germany (7-1) at home in 2014 and Belgium (4-1) in Russia in 2010.

After the victory over South Korea, Neymar remarked, “We are dreaming of winning the title, that’s obvious, but we have to go step by step.

“The fourth game was this one. There are still three, but we are ready. Our thoughts are centred on taking home the trophy.”

After sustaining an ankle injury in the opening 2-0 triumph over Serbia, Neymar returned to the starting lineup for the round of 16, and Danilo’s comeback at left-back was almost crucial.

Another full-back for Tite, Alex Telles, is out for the duration of the competition, although Alex Sandro is working out once more and anticipates returning.

Danilo will go to right back if that is the case, and Eder Militao should leave the side.

Taking it too far?

After being forced into extra time in three straight games, Croatia advanced to the final four years ago. On Monday, they needed an extra half-hour and penalties to defeat Japan in the round of 16.

The concern right now is that Zlatko Dalic’s hardy team, who still play with the same resolve they had four years ago and are still captained by the 37-year-old Luka Modric, might go too far in this game.

“Everyone in the world is aware of Luka Modric’s importance, in my opinion. We’re proud to have him on the field because he’s our team’s leader and finest player “Mateo Kovacic remarked.

The Chelsea midfielder continued, “We are used to playing really physical games in the Premier League, and that’s something we want to display against Brazil.

“We want to demonstrate our technical prowess as well, but we also want to demonstrate our physical prowess in each duel and in possession.”

Whatever the outcome, the four million-person nation should be proud of reaching this level after its 2018 accomplishments.

However, Croatia, who has only suffered one loss since the European Championship last year, is confident in their ability to compete and may take their Nations League victory over France in Paris in June as a model.

We needed to maintain possession of the ball against Brazil since we played a pretty strong game there, according to Kovacic.

“We may use that strategy here in Brazil, but the game will be different,”

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