Croatia
Croatia or Morocco World Cup triumph would represent tournament's ultimate fairy tale
DOHA - Croatia and Morocco are the surprise guests in the World Cup's final four but, as the Croatians discovered in 2018 and many other long-shot semifinalists have before them, the two remaining steps to become world champions can be the steepest.
In the 21 editions of the World Cup over 92 years featuring 79 nations, there have still been only eight winners and only 13 have made it to the final. Spain were the last to join the elite group of champions in 2010 after France in 1998 and Argentina in 1978.
World Cup semifinal ref assignments confirmed — every team feels cheated and wronged
After a controversial and emotionally charged quarterfinal round (who could've predicted that?), the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal referees have been announced before Tuesday and Wednesday's matches of Argentina vs. Croatia and France vs. Morocco, respectively.
World Cup semifinal referees
On Tuesday, the Argentina vs Croatia ref is Italian Daniele Orsato. You know he's legit because he took charge of Qatar's opener and Ecuador won it 2-0. He was also in charge of Argentina's victory over Mexico.
Man-mark Messi? Croatia's three-headed midfield monster ready to immobilize entire team
DOHA - Croatia will not attempt to stop Argentina superstar Lionel Messi by man-marking him but instead will focus on immobilizing the entire team in their World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, they said.
Croatia are bidding to make it to the final for the second World Cup in a row after losing in the 2018 showcase match to France.
They stunned tournament favorites Brazil in the quarterfinals after going a goal down in extra-time but dug deep to bounce back with a late equalizer and force a penalty shootout that they ended up winning.
World Cup top scorers 2022: Who will win the Golden Boot?
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honors players will be competing for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.
The number of assists by a player is considered in the case of a tie for goals scored. If players are tied on both counts, the winner is decided by who played the fewest minutes.
What a touching moment: Ivan Perisić's son runs to console heartbroken Neymar
Once Marquinhos sent his penalty shot to the post, sealing Brazil's exit from the 2022 World Cup, Neymar broke into tears. The dream of lifting the most coveted trophy in sports was again unfulfilled.
Several teammates approached the PSG star, trying to solace him. Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, and Vinícius Jr. were among those patting his shoulder. However, the most touching moment in the sequence was when a small kid with a Croatian jersey ran to Neymar to console him.
Croatia's win over Brazil reminds soccer fans that life is not fair
Brazil’s loss is a reminder that life is not fair.
Making the right decisions does not guarantee success. Like some sort of natural disaster, Croatia has taken that which is entirely good and reduced it to rubble. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Despite their best effort and the world’s wishes, Brazil has been sent home prematurely from Qatar after losing on penalties.
Neymar iguala récord de Pelé, pero Croacia lo deja convertido en un mar de lágrimas
El camino de Brasil en la Copa del Mundo se acabó en cuartos de final.
La verdeamarelha puso en la cancha todo su arsenal ofensivo para avanzar a semifinalesl, pero acabó desmoronándose mentalmente ante una Croacia que volvió a mostrarle al planeta que tiene una sapiencia defensiva inigualable y que las piernas de sus jugadores pueden correr en loop hasta que nuestro sol se convierta en una enana blanca.
Not even Brazil gets to decide when Luka Modrić's finished
With less than five minutes to play in extra time and Croatia trailing Brazil 1-0 in Friday's World Cup quarterfinal, it looked like Luka Modrić's 160th appearance in that famous checkered shirt would be the captain's last after an inspirational 17-year international career.
But only Modrić gets to decide when he's finished.
Neymar ties Pelé’s record with sublime goal but Brazil eliminated on penalties
Neymar Jr. tied Pelé’s record for the most goals scored for Brazil’s national team on Friday during his side’s 4-2 defeat on penalties vs. Croatia. Neymar’s go-ahead goal in the 106th minute was a classic display of his silky footwork and his 77th for Brazil.
Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic put in a nearly flawless shift denying and frustrating the Brazilians all game. It was going to take something truly special to put the ball in Croatia’s net, and Neymar was just the man to do it.