Croatia vs Brazil Match Details
Match: Croatia vs Brazil, Quarter-final | Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup
Date: 9 December 2022
Time: 9.00 PM (GMT+6), 8.30 PM (GMT+5.5)
Venue: Education City Stadium, Qatar
Croatia vs Brazil Preview
Croatia vs Brazil will face in the first quarter-final match of World Cup football, popularly known as The Greatest Show on Earth.
Brazil is one of the hot favourites for Qatar World Cup. They smashed South Korea 4-1 in the last 16 matches. Brazil, just three matches away from their sixth title, showed their familiar rhythm in the last match. They declared their strong appearance to the football world.
On the other hand, 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia won the last match against Japan through a tiebreaker. They failed to win on time. In recent years, Croatia has been far behind Brazil in footballing power.
In this match, the 12th team in the FIFA ranking, Croatia will face the top team in Brazil. The game is undoubtedly going to be a tough test for Croatia.
Croatia vs Brazil Match Highlights
Croatia can win important matches. They have lost just one of their last 20 matches considering all competitions.
In recent times, they have become successful in the tiebreak, just like gambling. In the knockout stages, 7 of their last 8 matches were gone to extra time. In all three of them, the team won in the penalty shootout. So, the team will play with the plan to stop Brazil at the scheduled time. The team’s best stars, including Mordic, will play cautiously to play in the semi-finals, avoiding yellow cards. But the spotlight will be on the keyplayer of the team, Luka Mordic.
World top-ranked Brazil is progressing well in its Hexa mission. Neymar, Richarlison, Rafinha, Vinicius Jr. have proven themselves in the title fight. Having lost their last three World Cups against European opposition, Brazil is determined to bounce back from failure. Tete’s team is much more balanced. In the last match against South Korea, they have proved their attacking ability by picking up 4 goals in the first 36 minutes. Neymar, the main star of the star-studded Brazil team, has managed to pick up only one goal so far. He will want to write his name on the score sheet in this match too, no doubt.
Croatia vs Brazil Head-to-Head
Brazil and Croatia have met four times so far, with Brazil winning all three times. The rest of the match was a draw. Brazil won 2-0 in their last appearance in 2018.
Croatia vs Brazil Team News
Croatia played without Varna Sasa in their last match against Japan. But he can be seen against Brazil. Varna Baracic can protect Croatia’s defense in his place if he fails to play. Bayern Munich’s Josef Stanisic, another team star who missed the Japan match, is also uncertain for this match.
Brazil’s Jesus has been knocked out of the World Cup. Injured Jesus must go under the surgeon’s knife. So, he will not be seen in this World Cup. Alex Telles and Alex Sandro are also, uncertain due to injuries.
Croatia vs Brazil squad
Croatia squad
Goalkeepers: Dominik Lovakovic, Ivo Grbic, Ivica Ivusic
Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Josip Stanisic, Martin Erlic, Josip Jurannovic, Josip Sutalo, Borna Barisic, Josko Gvardiol, Borno Sosa
Midfielders: Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Lovro Majer, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Luka Sucis, Kristijan Jakic, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic,
Forwards: Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Bruno Petkovic, Marko Livaja, Mislav Orsic
Brazil squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders Alex Sandro, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Alex Telles, Bremer, Danilo, Dani Alves
Midfielders Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Everton Ribeiro, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paqueta
Attackers Neymar, Pedro, Gabriel Jesus, Antony, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Richarlison, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Croatia vs Brazil Prediction
Scorecard: Croatia 0-2 Brazil
Croatia has not been able to win against Brazil in the World Cup so far. Brazil is the clear favourite in this match, considering the statistics and recent results.