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The quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup are finally upon us, meaning crunch time has well and truly arrived. Over the next ten days, one nation is going to be crowned world champions while the remaining seven will be left rueing a missed opportunity for eternal glory.
The first quarter-final sees tournament favourites, Brazil, take on 2018 runners-up Croatia. Brazil were in ominous form last time out as they blew South Korea away in a first-half performance which saw Tite’s side net four goals in half an hour.
Croatia, on the other hand, did it the hard way, as they always seem to. They came from a goal down against a spirited Japan side before seeing them off in a relatively straightforward penalty shootout. The winners of the tie will take on the winners of Netherlands vs Argentina for a place in the final.
Team news
Brazil
With their last 16 tie wrapped up before halftime, Tite was able to instruct his players to take their foot off the gas in the second half to prevent any unnecessary injuries. While Neymar returned from injury to play in the game, he didn’t last the full 90 minutes. Despite that, he is expected to be fit again to face Croatia.
There are two definite absentees in the Brazil squad, though, with Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles both ruled out for the remainder of the tournament. The injury crisis at left-back is also set to continue with Alex Sandro also likely to miss out. As a result, Danilo is likely to start at left-back with Militao at right-back.
Given the wealth of options at his disposal in midfield, Tite has a decision to make in relation to who partners the imperious Casemiro in the centre of the field. While Paqueta got himself on the score sheet against South Korea, Tite may opt for a more pragmatic approach and replace the West Ham midfielder with Fred to combat the Croatian trio of Brozovic, Modric and Kovacic.
The four attacking players pick themselves by now. While Vinicius Jr and Raphinha continue to shine on the wings, and Richarlison keeps scoring for fun, the Jewell in the Brazilian crown is undoubtedly Neymar. It’s not a coincidence that their best two performances at the World Cup have come in the two games that the PSG star was fit for.
Croatia
Croatia were without Borna Sosa and Josip Stanisic for the win over Japan and both remain a doubt for this tie. Sosa is the more likely of the pair to feature as he just has to overcome an illness while Stanisic is nursing a muscle injury.
Aside from that, the Croatian side picks itself. If they are to have any chance of beating this sensational Brazil side then you’d think that the midfield trio of Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic will all need to be at the very top of their games. In an interesting subplot, both Modric and Kovacic are just one booking away from suspension.
While Perisic plays most of his club football at wing back these days, he is again expected to play on the left wing with Andrej Kramaric on the opposite flank. Many analysts believe the wide areas are where you can get at Brazil so those two could have a key say in the outcome of the match.
Predicted lineups
Brazil
Alisson, Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo, Casemiro, Fred, Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Richarlison
Croatia
Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric, Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic
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