‘Very sad, I was confident about the winning’, indigenous man laments after Brazil’s defeat to Croatia

Gabriel Abreu – From Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The feeling is of sadness for more than 215 million Brazilians who watched, this Friday, 9, the Brazilian National Soccer Team be defeated by Croatia on penalties. In Amazonas, indigenous of Parque das Tribos, in the North Zone of Manaus, lamented the defeat, almost in disbelief that Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals, once again, by a European team.

For the team to be six-time champions, they needed to avoid being eliminated for the sixth time in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Cup, but the 2022 team failed to break the barrier, as they were watched at the Education City stadium in the capital Doha by 44,000 fans, mostly wearing green and yellow.

“What I have to say is that I am very sad, for this reason, of our Brazil losing in the quarter-finals, and I hope that four years from now they will come to win and surprise. I hope that in four years’ time they will win and surprise us”, said Lutana Kokama, the chief curator of the Parque das Tribos.

No faith

Until Neymar’s goal, the indigenous leader was confident that we would be in with a place in the semi-final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “I was very confident to see Neymar score, but unfortunately I still couldn’t believe that Croatia managed to draw”, Lutana said.

Sarah Munduruku was also hoping that the Brazilian team would make it all the way to the World Cup final. When the Canarinho team won the 2022 World Cup, she was not yet born.

“I was very sad, but my dream of seeing Brazil win a World Cup continues. We’ll have to wait for the next one, which will be in the United States. I was confident, the national team even scored a goal with Neymar, but it didn’t work out and we can’t stop believing, maybe in 2026 we’ll achieve the hexa so dreamed of”, said an emotional 13-year-old.

The match

In the early stages of the game, the team wasted time studying their opponents. Neymar’s one-on-one strike in the 20th minute was a constant thorn in the side of the Croatian defence. The goal, however, was weak and in the middle of the goal. The first 45 minutes were characterised by slowness and good marking in the middle made it difficult for the team to infiltrate. The Croatians were quick to counter-attack, always trying to get a cross to Perisic.

In the 41st minute, Neymar curled a free-kick on to the left and again goalkeeper Livakovic made no mistake. In the 41st minute, Neymar sent in a curling free-kick and again Livakovic failed to clear, but his shot was cleared off the line by the onrushing Livakovic.

In five games in this Cup, it was the fourth time the scoreline remained blank during the opening 45 minutes. The words of Tite and Zlatko Dalic, in the locker rooms, would be decisive to define the winner.

Changes

After the break, two minutes into the second half, Richarlison, in the small area, completed a low cross and goalkeeper Livakovic put his foot away. In the ninth minute, again, Livakovic prevented a Neymar goal with his right foot. And, as expected, Tite took off the inoperative Raphinha, putting on Antony; replaced Vinícius Júnior with Rodrygo; and swapped Richarlison for Pedro.

At 20 minutes, another wasted chance: Paquetá fought for the ball inside the area and Livakovic put it to the corner (corner). In the 34th minute, it was Paquetá who shot low and Livakovic saved well. Brazil were not inspired, but the changes improved the team, although not as Tite imagined. But they did have a few changes to make, although they didn’t do as much as Tite had hoped. On the other hand, it was visible that the Europeans were pushing the match to extra time.

Croatia’s goal was achieved. After half an hour, Zlatko Dalic’s team, who also faced Japan in the Round of 16, had to play extra time and penalties, and the match continued with the Brazilian attacking line hitting the Croatian wall. Until, in the 15th minute of the first extra time, Neymar played Paquetá, received in front, dribbled Livakovic and shot high. It was Brazil’s goal! 1 x 0!

Extra time

In the second half of extra time, Croatia was the one who kept the possession of the ball. They had to attack for the first time in the match. And it was not difficult for the runners-up to tie the match. In just 11 minutes, they got the goal: a low cross from the left, Petkovic shot, the ball deflected off Marquinhos and took away Alisson’s chances: 1-1. Then came the penalties they so desperately wanted.

Tite even erred in the order of the penalties. Neymar, the best taker, was put to take only the fifth shot and ended up not even getting a turn. Vlasic, Majer, Modric and Orsic scored four goals. Brazil wasted the very first spot-kick, with Rodrygo kicking at Livakovic’s hands. Casemiro and Pedro also scored, but Marquinhos hit the post.

Croatia managed to do what they always do; eliminating yet another team on penalties. In 2018, they beat Denmark and Russia that way. In 2022, it left behind Japan and Brazil. The sixth title did not come, but the sixth elimination in the quarterfinals was consummated, as in 1954, 1986, 2006, 2010 and 2018.

In the penalty shootout, Croatia won 4-2, goals from Vlasic, Majer, Modric and Orsi, against one from Casemiro and another from Pedro. Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed their kicks.