Football World Cup 2022: Brazil gives away a sure victory

Brazil is not a cohesive team like the European teams are. Brazil is and always has been a troupe of ball artists who came to the tournament to work their magic. And they always take their cue from a central figure, be it Pelé or today Neymar. These are Brazil's characteristics and also their weaknesses. Croatia, on the other hand, hardly has any stars like a Neymar; it's a cohesive team that works together compactly and is aggressive going forward. Since the last 20 years, the Croatian national team has developed into one of the best 20 teams and won the runner-up title against France at the last World Cup. So these guys are here for a reason. Brazil was doing well until today's match, shining in one game or another, but they were always lacking when it came to converting chances. Brazil needed too many chances to finally get a goal out of it. the goal efficiency massively needs improvement. Croatia always showed fighting spirit and strong nerves, as evidenced by the successful penalty shootout in the £eighth final against the Japanese. The match between Brazil and Croatia was correspondingly even, although Brazil had more magic moments, but against the massively built up defense of the Croats, the Brazilians had trouble getting through. After 90 minutes, the score was still 0-0, and at times you had the feeling that the Croats were speculating on a penalty shootout. Attack after attack took place until Superstar took heart and played a double pass with Rodrygo and Lucas Paquetà through the middle of the Croatian defense. For once he didn't fall down but caught himself, played around the goalkeeper and put the ball in. Now it was done, the dam was broken, the victory of the favored Brazilians, who easily dominated the game, seemed certain. But now the Brazilians began to make the fatal mistake of letting themselves fall behind, now yes one did not have to run anymore. They didn't push anymore, they didn't attack anymore, they let it slide and hoped to get through to the final whistle, but the Brazilians had miscalculated. The Croatians had to come and they did. Much of it may not have been successful, but the Croatians' persistence and determination paid off when Bruno Petković pulled a direct shot off after a through pass. Defender Marquinhos still deflects the shot, goalkeeper Alisson is powerless. It's 1:1. What a shit! all Brazilians and Brazil fans will have said to themselves, but it's their own fault, what's the point of suddenly playing defense and time, such a thing takes revenge. Now the end was sealed, because in the penalty shootout the Brazilians were not as confident as the Croats. And this insecurity also showed in Rodrygo's face when he ran to the penalty spot, because he now had to score after Croatia was 1:0 ahead at the penalty. Of course, he missed. After Marquinhos just hits the post, it's over. The Brazilians are eliminated with a 4:2 in the penalty shootout. What a pity, how tragic and how unnecessary. In my opinion, Brazil was the better team, but they acted stupidly at the end and were punished for it. Too bad, that would have been a great semifinal game against Argentina.