Croatia hasn’t won a World Cup knockout match in regulation since 1998. It’s rarely picked to do anything other than be a “tough out” at major tournaments. Perhaps it’s time those expectations are reconsidered.
The 2018 runner-up dumped consensus favorite and world No. 1 Brazil out of the World Cup on Friday, coming back from a goal down in extra time and outlasting the Seleção in penalty kicks (4–2) following a 1–1 draw, winning a second consecutive shootout—for a second straight World Cup—to return to the semifinals. There, it’ll play Argentina in a 2018 group-stage rematch (Croatia won that 3–0), and it’s guaranteed two more matches in Qatar and another top-four finish one way or another.
In typical Croatian style, it didn’t come easy, and it took added time to make it happen. Those knockout triumphs since 1998 have come through four shootout wins and one extra-time victory. The Vatreni do have that “tough out” label for a reason, and they showed it in Al Rayyan, where Brazil was consistently thwarted, either by a midfield and defense working in perfect harmony to limit opportunities or a brick wall of a goalkeeper when the South Americans finally did break through.
