Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic celebrates after Brazil’s Marquinhos missed a penalty to lose a penalty shootout throughout the World Cup quarterfinal. AP
Doha: Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic cemented his hero standing with a shocking show to assist his workforce knock out five-time champions Brazil on Friday and attain the World Cup semi-finals.
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The stopper had already received hearts again residence after making three penalty saves in opposition to Japan within the final 16 shootout, which set his workforce on a collision course with favourites Brazil.
He produced a string of sensible saves on Friday to maintain Brazil’s attackers at bay and guarantee Croatia reached additional time with the match goalless.
The sport ultimately completed 1-1, with Bruno Petkovic cancelling out Neymar’s sensible solo opener within the dying minutes of additional time.
The stage was set once more for Livakovic and he didn’t disappoint, denying Rodrygo from the spot to assist Croatia triumph 4-2 on penalties.
Throughout the match Livakovic denied Brazil talisman Neymar on a variety of events, produced a elegant response cease from Lucas Paqueta and even needed to make a sensible save to cease defender Josko Gvardiol placing by means of his personal internet.
The 27-year-old made 10 saves in opposition to the Selecao, who had been favourites to win the World Cup, on one other historic evening for Croatian soccer.
‘King Livi’
Livakovic, who performs for Dinamo Zagreb, had already earned the tag “King Livi” in his homeland after his heroics in opposition to Japan, and his legend solely grew on the Schooling Metropolis Stadium.
“We all know if it involves penalties we now have the sting on our aspect,” mentioned Croatia defender Borna Sosa. “He’s proven many, many occasions by means of his profession he’s an impressive goalkeeper.
“He offers us lots of confidence as a result of in opposition to a workforce like Brazil they may all the time have probabilities, since you can not comprise these sort of gamers.
“To win in opposition to Brazil that you must have this sort of luck a little bit bit, and a goalkeeper on the utmost stage that we had at this time.”
Livakovic was on the bench 4 years in the past in Russia, when Croatia completed runners-up to France, watching on as first-choice Danijel Subasic turned a hero himself.
Subasic helped Croatia win shootouts in opposition to Denmark and Russia on the way in which to the ultimate.
Croatia had been sometimes resilient in Doha on Friday however with out their goalkeeper’s sensational efficiency Tite’s males would have cantered to a win.
Livakovic confirmed spectacular reactions to maintain out a deflected Neymar free-kick close to the top of the primary half however as Brazil turned up the warmth after the break, he started to really shine.
He made a wonderful save along with his foot to foil Neymar on the close to publish and clawed away a Paqueta effort from point-blank vary.
“There have been a few conditions that Brazil created owing to high quality and velocity,” mentioned coach Zlatko Dalic.
“He was the distinction at essential moments that saved us and did what he was purported to do, and gave us confidence.
“They had been afraid he would deny them once more — he made the distinction all through the entire match.”
When Livakovic was younger, his idol was Iker Casillas, who received the 2010 World Cup with Spain.
Now he and Croatia are solely two matches away from emulating the feat.
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