Qatar World Cup 2022 Croatia vs Brazil – prediction, team news, lineups, starting XI
The first of Friday’s quarter-final games sees Brazil take on Croatia at the Education City Stadium (15:00).
Brazil’s match against South Korea set a tone for the World Cup – it was a showing of what teams will need to prepare to face, as Brazil look to extend their world titles to a record-breaking six.
Brazil easily defeated South Korea in the last 16, whilst Croatia were pushed all the way by Japan – eventually winning a spot in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout.
It’s Croatia’s third appearance at a World Cup quarter-final.
Croatia are no strangers to big games in international football and they are no stranger to fighting right to the end. In seven of their last eight knockout matches at a major tournament, Croatia have gone to extra time.
Four of the last five knockout matches at the World Cup have gone to extra time and three of which have seen Croatia triumph on penalties.
Croatia are unbeaten in their last 10 internationals and have only lost one of their last 20 games across all competitions since Euro 2020.
But the team will be tested like never before, as a high-flying Brazil will look for a repeat of their last match – producing the best football of the contest so far.
Brazil’s flair has football fans across the world excited to watch Friday’s game.
If the game is anything like Brazil’s 4-1 victory over South Korea, fans are in for some thrilling football.
Brazil had a four-goal lead within the first 36 minutes with Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta all on the scoresheet, before a stunning consolation strike from Paik Seung-ho gave the South Korean supporters something to cheer in the final 15 minutes.
Richarlison has had two incredible goals so far – his acrobatic effort in the group stages and his goal that showed off his skills – that epitomise Brazilian football.
Brazil have the confidence to go all the way to the final. But they should be wary of their record at this stage of the competition. They have been knocked out at the quarter-finals in three of the last four World Cups – losing to European teams France, the Netherlands and Belgium in 2006, 2010 and 2018 respectively.
Since they beat Germany 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup final, Brazil have lost each of their last five knock-out matches against European teams. But Brazil have never lost in four previous meetings with Croatia.
Croatia team news
Brona Sosa and Josip Stanisic both missed the Japan game due to illness and a muscle injury respectively. It’s understood Sosa should be available to return, possibly replacing Borna Narisic at left-back whilst Stanisic remains doubtful.
Croatia isn’t likely to make too many changes to its starting lineup, with midfielders Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic all expected to retain their places on Friday – both Modric and Kovacic are just one booking away from suspension along with Barisic and Dejan Lovren.
Lovren is set to continue in defence alongside Josko Gvardiol, while Marko Livaja and Ante Budimir will be battling to displace Bruno Petkovic as the central striker. Perisic and Andrej Kramaric, meanwhile, are likely to start again on the flanks.
Brazil team news
Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles are both ruled out of the rest of the tournament with injuries, and Alex Sandro is unlikely to play due to a hip problem.
If Sandro is unable to play he’ll likely be replaced by Danilo at left-back – joined by Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Eder Militao in the back four.
Militao along with Fred and Bruno Guimaraes are only one yellow card away from suspension – meaning they could possibly miss a semi-final game if Brazil progresses. The latter two are expected to be benched with Casemiro and Paqueta preferred in centre-midfield.
Neymar has recovered from his ankle injury and was – along with Richarlison – the centre of attention against South Korea. He is expected to start between wingers Raphinha and Vinicius Junior, while Richarlison is set to lead the lineup front.
Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Casemiro, Paqueta; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr; Richarlison
When is Croatia vs Brazil?
The game is scheduled to kick off at 3pm GMT (6pm local time) on Friday 9 December.
The quarter-final will take place at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
How can I watch it?
In the UK, the match will air live on BBC 1, and it will stream live on the broadcaster’s BBC iPlayer app and website.
Predictions
After comfortably dispatching South Korea in the last 16, Brazil are brimming with confidence but Friday’s contest may not be a cakewalk against a nation of Croatia’s calibre with their knockout-stage pedigree.
Indeed, Croatia have frustrated many opponents on the biggest international stage, but a match-up with Brazil could be a step too far, and we can see the five-time world champions edging themselves through to the semi-finals in 90 minutes. Croatia 1-2 Brazil – (SportsMole)
Brazil are on a roll and produced arguably the half of the tournament with their four-goal showing against South Korea, while Croatia could well be feeling the effects of fatigue after 120 minutes against Japan. Never count out the 2018 finalists and their never-say-die attitude, but the Selecao and their vast array of attacking talent should come out on top on this occasion. Brazil 2-0 Croatia. – (The Independent)
Brazil may be confident, but they’re track record at this stage isn’t the best. With Jesus and Telles out, we say Croatia may beat out Brazil is another major footballing upset. Croatia 2-1 Brazil – (WTX Sports)
