DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Brazil’s hopes of ending a 20-year watch for a World Cup title vanished in a 4-2 loss to Croatia in a penalty shootout within the quarterfinals.Neymar scored in further time to tie Pelé’s scoring file with 77 objectives and provides Brazil the lead, however Croatia equalized with Bruno Petkovic within the 117th minute and received the shootout after Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed their penalties for Brazil.Neymar didn’t get to take his penalty after a controversial choice by Brazil coach Tite to depart him for final.EXPECTATION VS. PERFORMANCEBrazil arrived as one of many favorites for the title, however there was concern about what it might do after Neymar bought injured within the first sport and his participation within the match was put into doubt.Brazil was nonetheless capable of comfortably advance previous the group stage regardless of a 1-0 loss to Cameroon with its reserve squad, a outcome that ended the Selecao’s 17-game unbeaten streak in group video games and solid doubt concerning the general high quality of the crew. It was additionally the primary time Brazil misplaced to an African nation in World Cups.It didn’t assist that Brazil was marred by accidents. Along with Neymar, Tite misplaced Danilo after the opening sport, and Alex Sandro after the second match in opposition to Switzerland. Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus bought damage within the sport in opposition to Cameroon and needed to be dropped from the squad.However Brazil was again within the dialog about title favorites when each Neymar and Danilo recovered and Brazil routed South Korea 4-1 within the spherical of 16. Neymar scored one of many objectives that put Brazil within the quarterfinals for the eighth straight time. The crew celebrated its objectives by dancing, and even coach Tite bought concerned, attracting some criticism from outsiders.There have been excessive expectations going ahead, and in opposition to Croatia the five-time champions had been a couple of minutes away from returning to the final 4 for the primary time since 2014. However the protection allowed a late breakaway that led to Petkovic’s aim with a shot that deflected off defender Marquinhos. Similar to that, Brazil was out of the World Cup once more. “It appears like a nightmare. It’s laborious to consider that is taking place,” stated Neymar, who needed to be consoled by teammates as he couldn’t cease crying after the match. Tite was criticized for choosing Neymar to take the fifth penalty kick, which in the end by no means occurred. He was additionally questioned for not retaining the crew organized defensively after taking the lead and earlier than conceding the late breakaway that led to Croatia’s equalizer. There have been additionally questionable substitutions, and lots of didn’t like his choice not to stick with his gamers and as a substitute go into he locker room instantly after the shootout loss. WHO’S OUT?Tite received’t actually should reply for something as he left the nationwide crew as deliberate, saying his time with Brazil was over. He had already introduced his choice earlier than the World Cup and was not altering his thoughts. “It’s the top of a cycle,” Tite stated. “The loss hurts, however I’m at peace with myself proper now.”Whether or not the 30-year-old Neymar can be again with Brazil remained unsure, as he stated it wasn’t the time to speak about his future so quickly after the loss to Croatia.Extra sure to bid farewell to the Selecao had been veterans Thiago Silva and Dani Alves. The 39-yead-old Alves turned the oldest Brazil participant in a World Cup, surpassing the 38-year-old Silva. 9 Brazilian gamers in Qatar had been 30 or older, together with Casemiro, Danilo and Alisson.WHO’S NEXT?Brazil was but to announce a substitute for Tite and the Brazilian soccer confederation stated it will solely begin discussions concerning the new coach in January. Rumors had been that Brazil might attempt to rent a international coach to leads its squad, with Portuguese Jorge Jesus among the many front-runners.The brand new coach may have proficient children at his disposal, together with Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli and Antony.“Now we have to raise our heads and attempt to transfer on,” the 30-year-old Casemiro stated.WHAT’S NEXT?Brazil doesn’t have any matches scheduled to date, however its focus will rapidly flip to the 2026 World Cup as South American qualifiers are anticipated to start in March 2023. Brazil has performed in each World Cup, and qualifying for 2026 shouldn’t be an issue, particularly with the area now incomes six direct spots plus a playoff berth.___Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni___AP World Cup protection: https://Fifanews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports