Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic pledged “this is not the end” after his team sensationally dumped Brazil out of the World Cup on penalties at the quarter-final stage on Friday.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with Bruno Petkovic cancelling out Neymar’s brilliant solo opener in the dying minutes.
Croatia, finalists at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, won the shootout 4-2.
Marquinhos missed the crucial spot-kick, hitting the post when he had to score to keep Brazil in it after Rodrygo’s earlier attempt had been saved by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Croatia converted all four of their penalties.
“This is a victory for Croatian people,” said Dalic. “A great match. We eliminated the main favourites.
“This is Croatia – pride, courage, faith and patriotism.”
He said his team had risen to the challenge when under the most intense pressure.
“Croatia is the best when it’s needed. When it matters, Croatia always succeeds. No one should underestimate us.
“This is not the end, we are moving on. We can achieve a lot.”
Croatia will face the Netherlands or Argentina, who play later Friday, in the semi-finals.
Reactions to Croatia’s win here:
Croatia's hero... again! 🇭🇷🧤#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/w8QroYs2aJ
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 9, 2022
#FifaWorldCup #Qatar2022
— The Field (@thefield_in) December 9, 2022
📸 An incredible frame after a sensational result in Qatar. Joy for #HRB & heartbreak for #BRA. https://t.co/VPoNfuDVcz pic.twitter.com/DsEHWHfCev
🚨 Lovely moment as a child from the celebrating Croatia squad - looks like Ivan Perisic family - runs over to console Neymar after #HRV shock Brazil to end #BRA dream of 1st #FIFAWorldCup since 2002 & record-extending 6th titlehttps://t.co/cyXMYoPulg@TheAthleticFC #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/HU2tZthP82
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 9, 2022
Croatia knock out Brazil with a truly astonishing win. They are 4/4 in World Cup penalty shootouts and just never know when they are beaten. Dominik Livaković was outstanding. Luka Modric's final World Cup goes on! 🇭🇷👏 pic.twitter.com/3XGjRzMsHX
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) December 9, 2022
Brazil left Roberto Firmino at home.
— Caoimhe O'Neill (@CaoimheSport) December 9, 2022
It's honestly unbelievable what this man can offer, even at this age.
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 9, 2022
Crucial in 5 UCL's in 8 years, only midfielder of his generation to win the Ballon d'Or, leading Croatia to B2B unreal #FIFAWorldCup campaigns.
🐐 pic.twitter.com/VJi7L3JsG7
Neymar in tears, absolutely destroyed that heartbreaking loss at penalties 💔🇧🇷 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/l1UVcjvCeQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 9, 2022
Brazil learning that when you play Man United players it's very hard to get into the top 4.
— The Exploding Heads (@Exploding_Heads) December 9, 2022
Oh boy! Kolkata is gonna be heartbroken today. 50% of the city is covered in green and yellow.
— PouLaMi (@Crictopher17) December 9, 2022
Hope Argentina wins atleast! #FIFAWorldCup
Dominik Livakovic. Respect this man. A stalwart between the goalposts for Croatia 🇭🇷. Very consistent. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/MqMWu8FiL7
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) December 9, 2022
Modrić doesn't do pressure 🥶 pic.twitter.com/HkzyIUWe4E
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 9, 2022
Brazil left Roberto Firmino at home.
— Caoimhe O'Neill (@CaoimheSport) December 9, 2022
Josko Gvardiol's game by numbers vs Brazil:
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 9, 2022
92.54% passing accuracy
84 touches
7 clearances
5 ball recoveries
5 final third entries
2 duels won
1 tackle
1 interception
Scarily good. Again. 🥶#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CN1nmIUcco
Livakovic: noun. a wall consisting of bricks, found commonly between two medal posts. #CRO
— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) December 9, 2022
Wow! Just wow! Brazil are out. Croatia are so, so tough.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 9, 2022
Croatia have now won 4 out of 4 Penalty Shootouts at World Cups. They are level with Germany and Argentina with the most Penalty Shootout wins in World Cup History.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 9, 2022
Specialists. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/NPx3cHDM1T
Croatia when there's a penalty shootout: pic.twitter.com/g0P02pQ7ng
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) December 9, 2022
What a game !! Brazil 🇧🇷 so unlucky ! If it’s not your day it’s not your day !! Croatia keeping there’ cool in pressure time ! #BrazilCroatia #FIFAWorldCup2022
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 9, 2022
How is the Croatia men's team so so gritty on the football pitch!
— Zenia D'cunha (@ZENIADCUNHA) December 9, 2022
Equalise after a magic goal in extra time & then prevail in penalty shootout AGAIN
Cannot begrudge this team another semis, even when it comes at the cost of Brazil's (& Pele 😢) #FIFAWorldCup dream crashing again
Modrić is an element in football’s Periodic Table. It is found naturally occurring in the late stages of all major tournaments.
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) December 9, 2022
A picture that speaks a million words... #HRV #BRA #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/qVJRvQ44Cj
— ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) December 9, 2022
Neymar is absolutely beside himself in tears. He has gone from creating a moment for Brazilian football history and putting himself in Ballon d'Or contention to having to face the music of the #FIFAWorldCup favourites not matching expectation.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 9, 2022
Ivan Perisic's son, Leo, ran over to console Neymar after the match 😢
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 9, 2022
Sports. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FobFDyG1Rj
#Croatia runs to fight for another #FIFAWorldCup medal! 🏃♂️
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) December 9, 2022
#CROBRA #Qatar2022 #Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/K02GiKrbRi