Brazilian soccer legend Pelé has reached out to a broken Neymar after his country suffered a shock World Cup quarter-final loss to Croatia. The five-time South American champions were eliminated 4-2 on penalties against Croatia, who will face Argentina in the semi-finals after his own 4-3 penalty shootout win against the Netherlands.
Neymar must have thought he had won the match for Brazil after 90 minutes without a goal, when he scored for the Selecao in extra time, only to see Croatian substitute Bruno Petkovic equalize three minutes from the remaining 120 minutes. with his team’s first shot. framed for the game. The Croats then kept their cool from the penalty spot after Brazilian Rodrygo had the first penalty saved by hero goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, before Marquinhos hit the post with his crucial fourth effort. Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Luka Modric and Mislav Orsic have all succeeded from the spot for Croatia.
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Following the defeat, Neymar – whose goal saw him equal national hero Pele’s goalscoring record for Brazil – was reduced to tears as his team-mates tried to console him on the pitch. Pelé has been at the forefront of the team’s thoughts during the tournament, following the announcement that he had been admitted to hospital in Brazil.
However, the 82-year-old showed his class with a nice message to Neymar after the Paris St-Germain striker equaled his official record of 77 goals for the national team in his 124th appearance.
“I’ve seen you grow, I’ve encouraged you every day and I can finally congratulate you on reaching my goal tally with Brazil. We both know that’s more than a number,” wrote Pelé, 82, on Instagram. “Our greatest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport.
“Unfortunately, it’s not the happiest day for us,” added Pelé. “My record was set almost 50 years ago, and no one had managed to come close to it until now. You made it, kid. It shows how great your achievement is.
The wonderful post melted the hearts of fans on social media, who were left bowled over by the tearful scenes of Neymar at the end of the game. He later admitted it might be his last World Cup for Brazil in a bombshell admission that will leave fans devastated.
“I’m not closing any doors to the national team but I’m also not 100% guaranteeing that I’ll be back,” said Neymar, who made his international debut aged 18. “I have to think a little more about that, about what is the right thing for me and for the national team.”
Neymar revealed that defeat was even harder to take than the 2-1 quarter-final loss to Belgium at the World Cup in Russia four years ago. Brazil were seen by many pundits as strong favorites to win a sixth World Cup title and few gave Croatia a realistic chance of upsetting them in the round of 16.
“It’s a horrible feeling. I think it’s a worse feeling than what happened in the last World Cup,” Neymar said. “It’s hard to find the words to describe this moment. We fought hard and I’m proud of my team-mates, proud of the character they showed to step in and take penalties.”
Brazilian coach Tite also dropped a bombshell shortly after the loss by announcing he was leaving his post, effective immediately. The 61-year-old says he is ‘leaving in peace’ after spending six years as Brazil’s head coach.
“It’s a painful defeat but I’m leaving in peace. It’s the end of a cycle,” the outgoing Brazil coach told the media after the game. “I said that a year and a half ago. I didn’t come here to win and then turn around and say I was going to stay. People who know me know that.”
Croatia in shock at the World Cup for the ages
Croatia initially refused to be intimidated by their most illustrious opponents and in the first half managed to stifle most of Brazil’s early moves. Apart from a weak shot from Vinicius Jr., Brazil had little else to offer in terms of attack with Neymar out of rhythm and ruled out by a hard-working back line.
Croatia looked sharper, more skilful in their passing game and with a clear game plan, and by the end of the first half they were perhaps surprisingly superior in terms of possession. It was a different story after the break when Josko Gvardiol tried to clear the ball but almost turned it into his own goal.
This was followed moments later by claims for a ball from the hand of defender Josip Juranovic which was brought down following a VAR review, before Neymar was sent on by Richarlison in the 55th minute for his effort close range is blocked by Livakovic.
The Brazilians, who have now lost four of their last five World Cup quarter-finals against European opponents, came close in the 66th when Lucas Paqueta was denied by Livakovic. The Croatian keeper also stopped Neymar in the 76th minute and by that time he made more saves in the game – seven – than his Brazilian counterpart Alisson had in the entire tournament (five).
In stoppage time of the first half of extra time, Neymar, largely lackluster until then, launches an attack from outside the box, plays two consecutive one-twos to bamboozle the tired Croatian defense and then rounds the goalkeeper to equal Pelé’s record .
The Croats refused to surrender and after Petkovic equalizing forced penalties, they emerged victorious in the shootout with Livakovic the toast of a small European nation that continues to punch above its weight in major tournaments.
with agencies
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