Who will Brazil face in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup?
Having thrashed South Korea in the last 16, Brazil are through to a quarter-final clash with Croatia, who edged out Japan on penalties.
Following their thumping victory over South Korea in the round of 16, five-time champions Brazil will now take on 2018 runners-up Croatia in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Brazil smash sorry South Korea
The Brazilians were 4-1 winners at Stadium 974 on Monday, scoring all four of their goals in a 29-minute first-half blitz. Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring with a cool close-range finish in the seventh minute, before Neymar’s penalty doubled the Seleçao’s advantage with less than a quarter of an hour on the clock. Richarlison then stroked home after a sublime passage of build-up play, before Lucas Paquetà volleyed in a fourth with the break still 10 minutes away. Paik Seung-ho replied for South Korea in the second half.
Such was Brazil’s dominance that they could even afford to bring on third-choice goalkeeper Weverton in the closing stages - a change that means head coach Tite has now used all 26 members of his World Cup squad.
Croatia prevail on penalties again
Earlier on Monday, Croatia progressed to the last eight in considerably less straightforward fashion, edging out Japan on penalties. Zlatko Dalic’s men went behind to a Daizen Maeda goal shortly before half time, but Ivan Perisic’s header levelled the scores soon after the break, and keeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero for the Croats when the tie went to spot-kicks. He saved three of Japan’s four efforts from 12 yards as Croatia won the shootout 3-1 - the third time in five World Cup knockout ties that the country has advanced on penalties.
Croatia vs Brazil: when and where?
The clash between Croatia and Brazil, which will be the first of the World Cup 2022 quarter-finals, will take place at Education City Stadium on Friday 9 December 2022, with kick-off scheduled for 10am ET/7am PT. The winner of the tie will set up a semi-final against either the Netherlands or Argentina; the Oranje and the Albiceleste meet at Lusail Stadium at 2pm ET on Friday.
Viewers in the US will be able to watch a live stream of Croatia vs Brazil on the online platform fuboTV.
Football fans in the States can also tune in to Spanish-language coverage on the streaming service Peacock.
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Croatia vs Brazil: previous meetings
Friday’s clash will be the third time that Croatia and Brazil have played each other at a World Cup. The teams met in the group stage at Germany 2006 - Brazil winning 1-0 thanks to a fine Kaká strike - before again being drawn together in the round-robin phase when the Brazilians hosted the finals eight years later.
In the opening game of the 2014 tournament, the South Americans beat the Croats once more, but had to recover from the concession of an early Marcelo own goal. Neymar equalised for the Verde-Amarela, before putting his side in front with a 71st-minute penalty. Oscar then sealed a 3-1 victory in time added on.
The teams’ most recent meeting of any kind was a friendly at Anfield, Liverpool, in June 2018. Brazil won that game, too, goals by Neymar and Roberto Firmino securing a 2-0 triumph.
Video: Croatia fans ready for Brazil challenge
