Tournament favourites Brazil have been knocked out of the World Cup after losing to Croatia who won on penalties 4-2 in their quarter-final clash.
The match had finished goalless after normal time.
Then superstar Neymar equalled Pele’s Brazil scoring record with his 77th international goal to give his side the lead in the first half of extra time at the Education City Stadium.
However, Bruno Petkovic equalised with just four minutes left as the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
The Brazilians had outclassed South Korea in their round of 16 tie with a 4-1 win – and they were hotly tipped to add another World Cup title to their five so far.
However, Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic proved the hero, again, for the 2018 runners-up.
He made three penalty saves in Croatia’s gruelling last-16 tie against Japan and pulled off a string of saves to deny Brazil during the goalless first 90 minutes.
Livakovic then saved a shootout penalty from Rodrygo and Marquinhos hit the post.
“This is just for the Croatian people,” said winning coach Zlatko Dalic.
“A great match from the first minute to the last. We eliminated the biggest favourites. This is not the end for us, let’s keep going.
“This is a victory for all of us, everyone gave their best. Thanks also to those on the bench, who also live for this national team.”
Croatia now face Argentina in the semi-finals, after the South American side came through a nail-biting penalty shootout against the Netherlands to secure their spot in the last four.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero as he saved two penalties, including one from Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, to help his side to a 4-3 penalty shootout win.
Earlier in the match, Argentina looked like they were cruising to the semi-finals after Lionel Messi put his side 2-0 up with a superb penalty, after superbly assisting Nahuel Molina’s first-half strike.
But an 83rd-minute header from Wout Weghorst, followed by the towering striker’s dramatic equaliser in the 10th minute of injury time, sent the game to extra time and then penalties.
England and France, and Morroco and Portugal, will go head-to-head on Saturday for a place in the other semi-final.
