O’Croatia reigns in penalties

Croatia provided one of the surprises of the World Cup, the European team sent one of the favorites home, to Brazil. After 90 flat minutes from both teams, the world runner-up showed again why he came so close to gold in 2018.

Extra time revived the game, with a great goal from neymarBrazil found itself with one foot in the semifinals, but had a counterattack in minutes 117 which culminated Petkovic, the party has rolled around. This is Croatia there was no more hope that the Croats could get ahead of the situationbut with that trip from Orsic on the left wing, against a Brazil surprised by a counterattack 3 minutes from the end, with the first shot on the Croatian goal, the game was tied, and the penalties came.

It is always said that punishments are all luck, that all teams can pass against each other in penalties, but The Croatian thing indicates that it is not luck, that it knows how to be. In the last two World Cups, Croatia reached the deadly shootout 4 timeswith rivals of more or less name, more or less quality, but he beat them all.

The first of Croatia’s ‘lucky’ came in the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cupafter 120 minutes against Denmarkthe game ended 1-1, goals scored in the first 5 minutes. This time, Croatia won 3-2, despite Badelj and Pivaric missing their penalties.

In the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Russia 2018, Croatia reached the 11 meter shootout against the hoststhey fought the public, the whole stadium whistled, but no one could impress them. Croatia won 3 goals out of 4, despite Kovacic missing his penalty.

And as soon as they reached this World Cup, Croatia almost made it through the group stage and became favorites for their match against Japan, in 120 minutes the total of the Balkans is less, still vdefeated the Japanese again on penalties 1-3, with a The historic Livakovic became the first goalkeeper in World Cup history to save the first two penalties in a shootout.

The battle has come now, against the mighty Brazil, the hardest game since they lost the final against France, and they surprised again. This is the hardest opponent where they reach the 11-meter round, the one with the most names, 0 pressure. 4 penalties taken in 4 shots, maximum effect. Pit Livakovic It served him to stop at first Rodrygoone fails it is pointed out Marquinhosthat hit the stick.

For what we doubt it is just a matter of luckCroatia proved to be more than a specialist in withstanding the pressure of the deadly shootout, And as long as he continues like this, he can win a World Cup by holding out for 120 minutes and managing to reach penalties. I don’t know if it is because of its Balkan character, because of its experience, because of its perseverance, or because it does not give up, but this Croatia will not be the best, or the most remarkable, or the one with best names, but I can’t think of a more effective choice.