🏆Match #57: Quarter Final - Croatia (P) 1-1 Brazil (09/12/22, 3pm)

[Col Hammer]

Surely Brazil too good for the Croatians - Come on Pacman!

[IronRhino]

Croatia are a decent team and Modric will have a growing presence and influence as the game goes on

[wolf359]

Croats the better team thus far, they are light upfront though.

[r99c]

Similar to Spain v Morocco with Croatia playing the role of Spain. Dominate midfield, high possession. Brazil looking to soak up possession and hit them on the counter, but of course they have more danger going forward. Intriguing match up.

[Samba]

Amazing that Modric, older than Cuenca 'ammer, is still playing at this level.

[IronRhino]

How do they do it, with a population of just 4 million

[lincolnhammer1963]

I suggested during the Korea game that Brazil may have peaked early.
Theres nothing so far in this game to suggest I was wrong.
Too clever by half the other night.
Its football youre playing Brazil, not dancing.
I'm saying it again, I don't like their arrogance

[Puff Daddy]

Naymar, I think will be the one who will conjure up something our of nothing here for Brazil

[IronRhino]

I suggested during the Korea game that Brazil may have peaked early.
Theres nothing so far in this game to suggest I was wrong.
Too clever by half the other night.
Its football youre playing Brazil, not dancing.
I'm saying it again, I don't like their arrogance

I agree, but pretty much every game they have played they have 15 minutes where they are completely dominant, but Croatia looking the better team so far

[hammers92]

I think Croatia may have exhausted their effort in the last round. Not sure they can go the 120 minute distance so I reckon they need to nick one in 90 and defend for their lives.

Game plan has worked so far for Croatia, who knew dancing didn’t guarantee you an easy life?

[Chicken Run Supreme]

I suggested during the Korea game that Brazil may have peaked early.
Theres nothing so far in this game to suggest I was wrong.
Too clever by half the other night.
Its football youre playing Brazil, not dancing.
I'm saying it again, I don't like their arrogance

Agree 100%

I also hate the way the world and his wife want them to win all the time too.

So far Croatia have stifled Brazil, if only Croatia had a bit more about them up front.

[stu1]

Is today's game so far possibly an example of why Paqueta might struggle playing as an 8 for us? In games where Brazil boss the game and have all the ball he is fine, but is less suited to a deeper role when the other team have the ball and given we barely even press we rarely dominate the ball.

[thamesideiron]

Thing with Brazil....they're often not the better side when they play European sides....but the attack is so deadly 3/4 chances and
they're gonna score,so they are due one.

Croatia gonna need a couple to win I think...hope so,on them to win.

['stone hammer]

If I hear Vinicius Juni-ore once more I'm going to scream.

[BobbyMooreLower]

Is today's game so far possibly an example of why Paqueta might struggle playing as an 8 for us? In games where Brazil boss the game and have all the ball he is fine, but is less suited to a deeper role when the other team have the ball and given we barely even press we rarely dominate the ball.

Spot on. I simply cannot see a Paqueta - Rice midfield 2 working for us in the Premier League. Its fine when hes playing for Brazil vs South Korea, but up against any sort of decent midfield it gets exposed.

[DublinDave]

Croatia are excellent today, controlling the ball & limiting Brazil to half chances, deserve the win thus far..

[wolf359]

The old ‘game of chess’ this half.

[Samba]

Pra cima dos brasileiros!

[lincolnhammer1963]

Vlasic on to score the winning goal

[Puff Daddy]

Brazil look the more likely