Tite's team sambaed their way into the quarterfinals on Monday thanks to a 4-1 victory over South Korea in the last 16.
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After defeating Japan 3-1 on penalties in the last 16 on Monday, Croatia will play on the biggest international stage in the quarterfinals for the second time in a row and for the third time in their history. Daizen Maeda’s first-half goal was cancelled out by Ivan Perisic, forcing extra time and then penalties. The Checkered Ones won the shootout thanks to Dominik Livakovic, who saved three of Japan’s four attempts, and helped Zlatko Dalic’s team advance to the round of eight. As seven of their last eight knockout games went to extra time, Croatia is no stranger to tension at the top level of international football.
Tite’s team sambaed their way into the quarterfinals on Monday thanks to a 4-1 victory over South Korea in the last 16. The Brazilian flair and swagger that football fans around the world are used to seeing when watching the five-time world champions were on display. Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta all scored for the Selecao in the opening 36 minutes as they quickly built a four-goal advantage. In the final 15 minutes, a stunning consolation goal from Paik Seung-ho gave the South Korean fans something to cheer about. In the group stage, Richarlison already had a goal that was a strong candidate for goal of the tournament, and now he has another after capping off an outrageously skillful team goal.
Here are some of the key battles to look out for:
An old guard for their respective teams, Ivan Perisic and Thiago Silva have both shown that age is just a number. Perisic scored the crucial equaliser with a stunning header in the round of 16 match against Japan. The match eventually went to penalties which Croatia won. Thiago Silva has been a rock at the heart of the Brazilian defence. The team might boast of its attacking flair but the foundation upon which that is built has been quite solid thanks to the vastly experienced Silva.
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These are two men who are no strangers to one another thanks to their long and successful midfield pairing at Real Madrid. It is safe to say that the two know each other inside out and it will be interesting to see how they stand up against each other. Modric is an attacking midfielder who will try to play those through passes and move into the spaces. Casemiro is a defensive midfielder whose primary job would be to protect the back four by intercepting crucial passes and holding control of the midfield.
Brazilian striker Richarlison has found the form of his life at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals already, including an outrageous overhead kick in the group stage. He is second in the running for the golden boot and it will come as no surprise if the new R9 clinches the prize. Although the order is tall, Dejan Lovren has been consistent in Croatia’s defence. It will be interesting to see how he manages someone in as red hot form as Richarlison.
