Croatia and Brazil will play for the fifth time in their history on Friday in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals at the Education City Stadium.
Brazil hold a three-win, one draw, and zero-loss record against Croatia in the teams’ four previous meetings. In 2006 and 2014, Croatia and Brazil met in the World Cup finals tournament, with the Selecao picking up wins on both occasions.
Classificamos para as quartas de final e já iniciamos a nossa preparação para enfrentar a Croácia pela @FIFAWorldCupAnota aí! É sexta-feira! Vamos juntos pela sexta estrela pic.twitter.com/yyAleP9OhH— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) December 7, 2022
Classificamos para as quartas de final e já iniciamos a nossa preparação para enfrentar a Croácia pela @FIFAWorldCupAnota aí! É sexta-feira! Vamos juntos pela sexta estrela pic.twitter.com/yyAleP9OhH
Since then, Croatia finished as runner-up in the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament. The Blazers go into the game on Friday night following a 1-1 draw after extra time against Japan.
The Croatians won the match on penalties thanks to two fantastic saves from Dominik Livakovic.
Brazil did not have any problem getting through the last 16. The Selecao defeated South Korea 4-1 thanks to goals from Vinicius, Neymar, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta.
Brazil had the match wrapped up after 13 minutes when Neymar scored from the penalty spot.
Croatia are a far stronger team than South Korea. Indeed, the Koreans were likely the weakest team in the round of 16, as they barely squeezed through the group stage.
Brazil shouldn’t run away with this game, especially so early as they did versus South Korea.
Brazil manager Tite doesn’t have any new injury problems. Neymar has recovered fully from his ankle injury from matchday No 1 in the group stage.
Tite will be without full-back Alex Telles and forward Gabriel Jesus, who were injured during the group stage. Neither player will play a part on Friday or the rest of the tournament.
Croatian left-back Borna Sosa is suffering from an illness and may miss the game. After Switzerland’s round of 16 loss to Portugal, manager Murat Yakin complained about an illness sweeping through the team. The same could affect other national sides.
Manager Zlatko Dalic has no injury problems and will be able to select his best side. Three of Croatia’s four games in the World Cup ended with under 2.5 goals. Brazil saw under 2.5 goals in three of their four games.
Friday’s match at the Education City Stadium will be a low-scoring fixture. Anyone expecting Brazil to blow Croatia away from the start as they did South Korea will be mistaken.
Brazil should find a way to edge Croatia in the match. The game should finish 2-0 in favour of Brazil, with Neymar potentially getting on the scoresheet. The World Cup has had 56 matches, with 55% of the games ending with under 2.5 goals. Fifty-four per cent of games finished with NO BTTS.