Argentina survives World Cup 2022 as Brazil crashes out

After a penalty shootout drama against Croatia on Friday, Brazil crashed out of the World Cup, while Argentina survives a furious comeback from the Netherlands to win as well.

Lionel Messi lived to fight another day as Argentina moved into a semi-final against Croatia despite tears from Brazil superstar Neymar.

A distraught Neymar says it is possible he may never play for Brazil again, despite Messi’s chances of winning the World Cup at 35.

After 90 minutes without a goal, Neymar scored a goal in extra time to tie Pele’s international scoring record of 77 goals for Brazil, keeping the team’s hopes alive.

As a result of a goal scored by Bruno Petkovic, Croatia was able to score a goal in the final minute to tie things up at 1-1.

A tense game ended with a flourish after Neymar’s flash of brilliance lit up the game, Dominik Livakovic pulling off a series of stunning blocks to maintain the Brazilians’ advantage.

Education City Stadium

With extra time ticking down at the Education City Stadium, Petkovic’s deflected shot found its way past Alisson, the goalkeeper for Brazil.

Having suffered a shock from the late equalizer, Brazil destine to suffer further damage from an array of nerve-shredding spot kicks.

From Rodrygo’s first attempt for Brazil  tip away by Livakovic, Nikola Vlasic slammed down the middle with his opening penalty into the net.

It came down to Paris Saint-Germain center-back Marquinhos’ kick, but it bounced off the post, giving Croatia 4-2 victory in the shootout and a spot in the last four for a second consecutive year.

Zlatko Dalic’s Croatian team followed up their famous victory over Japan on penalties in the last round with this one.

In the defeat of Japan, Livakovic again played a crucial role in saving three spot kicks. “We are fighters. We do not spare effort — we always give our best, and that’s what makes us successful.”

After 24 years since their last World Cup victory, Brazil will have to wait at least another four years before attempting to win their sixth title.

Neymar said he might not wear the yellow shirt again after feeling overwhelmed by emotion.

Despite keeping all options open in the interim, “I cannot guarantee that I will be able to return to the national team in full strength.”

Argentinian survives is a struggle

Instead of an all-South American semi-final, Croatia, who surprised everyone by finishing runner-up in 2018, is standing between Messi and the championship.

He appeared at ease at Lusail Stadium on Friday after Nahuel Molina scored first and Messi converted a penalty in the 73rd minute.

It was Wout Weghorst, who scored two goals in normal time, who gave Argentina the lead in the final few minutes of normal time.

Despite being shaped to shoot, Steven Berghuis instead rolled a pass towards three Dutch players in the wall, and Weghorst shook off his Argentine marker and poked the ball past Emiliano Martinez. The second goal is one that will be remembered for years to come.

There were no more goals scored during extra-time, so penalties were needed to determine the winner of the second quarter-final.

Unfortunately, Dutch luck did not shine this time.

The captain of their team, Virgil van Dijk, had the first chance, but Martinez saved it. After that, Messi followed and made no mistakes before Martinez saved Berghuis an additional time.

Lautaro Martinez scored

Enzo Fernandez missed the penalty that won the shootout for Argentina, but Lautaro Martinez scored the winning penalty.

While praising his team’s resilience, Messi was unhappy with Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, especially for awarding Weghorst the equalizing free kick.

As Messi stated, it is important to reach the semi-finals. We knew how to suffer when the time came, but we managed to do so.

In my opinion, the crowd notice that you reprimand or sanctioned immediately by the referee.

“I think FIFA should investigate this further; if a referee like that isn’t up for the job, they shouldn’t be give the chance to oversee such an important match,” the commentator said.

As the World Cup quarter-finals get underway, the focus will shift to a heavyweight match between France and England as well as a first-time World Cup quarter-final between Morocco and Portugal.