Brazil head into their quarter-final in opposition to Croatia excessive on confidence after a formidable 4-1 win over South Korea.
Who: Brazil vs Croatia
The place: Schooling Metropolis Stadium
When: Friday, December 9, 6pm (15:00 GMT)
Brazil have been at their good finest on Monday, placing 4 previous South Korea in a devastating first-half show.
The South American staff, which tops FIFA’s rankings, will head into Friday’s match in opposition to twelfth-placed Croatia on a wave of confidence and excessive morale.
Nevertheless, Croatia have confirmed a tough staff to beat and annoyed many opponents with their knack of dragging out each knockout sport to the very finish. And as World Cup finalists in 2018, they know tips on how to play and carry out in high-pressure matches.
The Croats famously performed out three rounds of additional time over the knockout levels on their method to that World Cup remaining in Russia. This yr, they overcame Japan on penalties within the spherical of 16.
If Brazil get pleasure from one other vivid begin to this sport, they’ll should be cautious to not let complacency set in, or Croatia may punish them.
Richarlison, Brazil’s prime scorer within the match up to now, loved one other positive sport in opposition to South Korea, netting his third objective in as many video games.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar returned from a group-stage harm to place in a formidable efficiency in opposition to South Korea and appears set to play on Saturday.
Whilst Brazil look to overwhelm a disciplined Croatian backline with attacking aptitude, they’ll additionally depend on Liverpool’s Alisson in objective and Chelsea’s Thiago Silva on the centre of defence to maintain the hazard of Croatia’s star playmaker Luka Modric at bay.
Croatia have solely conceded two objectives up to now this match, nevertheless it may simply have been extra if Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku had been in a position to end any of his gilt-edged possibilities of their remaining group sport.
Brazil are undefeated in opposition to Croatia of their 4 earlier video games. If Croatia break that sample on Friday, they’ll enter their third World Cup semi-final. After ending in third place in 1998, they have been runners-up in 2018 and a win over Brazil would permit them to dream of going all the best way this time.
However they’re up in opposition to probably the most profitable nation within the sport’s historical past. If Brazil win, they’ll enter the semi-finals for the ninth time. And if the five-time champions wanted any incentive to try for a sixth world title, the hospitalisation of Pele has served to bind their nation, its followers and gamers in a single prayer to win the World Cup for the legend.
The winner of the Brazil-Croatia quarter-final will play the staff that comes out on prime within the sport between Argentina and the Netherlands, additionally on Friday.