World Cup 2022 LIVE: Brazil vs Croatia team news and line-upsNeymar starts quarter-final

England’s World Cup history: From the highs of ‘66 to penalty heartbreak and Qatar 2022

Brazil’s bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup trophy sees them take on Croatia in the quarter-finals in Qatar today.

The Selecao have not reached a final since their last triumph, in 2002, while Croatia were runners-up in Russia four years ago, falling to France at the last hurdle.

Brazil qualified atop their group in Qatar, setting up a last-16 clash with South Korea, whom Tite’s side tore apart 6-1 with one of the performances of the tournament so far. Meanwhile, Croatia finished second in their group and scraped past Japan on penalties in the round of 16.

The winner of this quarter-final will play Argentina or Netherlands in the semi-finals.

Follow all the action with our live blog below

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Croatia vs Brazil

The Croatian team check out the pitch at the Education stadium with just under an hour to go until kick off. How will they take on the Brazilians this afternoon?

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Michael Jones9 December 2022 14:09

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Brazil vs Croatia

Brazil have never lost in four previous meetings with Croatia in all competitions – winning three and drawing once.

(Getty Images)

Michael Jones9 December 2022 14:05

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Tite vows to dance through World Cup in celebration of Brazil’s football ‘culture’

If Brazil are to conquer the world again, it will be as the dancing kings. If, over the decades, the Selecao became a byword for flair and exuberance with the ball at their feet, their willingness to express themselves when the ball is in the net has drawn criticism so far this World Cup. If Richarlison’s overhead kick against Serbia may be the goal of the tournament, Brazil’s quartet of strikes against South Korea became more notable for the rehearsed routines that followed, certainly amid one of the more needless controversies involving events in Qatar.

World Cups can be a place where footballing cultures collide. Brazil’s has tended to earn acclaim, for its aesthetic appeal and entertainment factor, though not from a particularly irascible Irishman whose comments went global. Roy Keane’s predictable reaction and unsurprisingly scathing verdict were designed for an audience of television viewers in the United Kingdom but it made headlines in Brazil. The message from manager Tite was that his side – and even he – will carry on dancing. Keane and other such killjoys may be misunderstanding the Brazilian psyche. Certainly, the favourites to lift the World Cup do not believe their capacity to enjoy goals deflects from their attempts to win it or shows any disrespect to opponents.

“We dance when a goal is scored because it is Brazilian culture,” Tite said. “It is not being disrespectful, that is how we do things as a culture … we will continue doing things in our manner.”

Michael Jones9 December 2022 14:01

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Tite and Brazil will continue to dance

Brazil coach Tite says he will not apologise to the people who “do not know Brazilian history and culture” after criticism was sent his player’s way for dancing after scoring goals against South Korea in the last-16.

The 61-year-old even joined in with the celebrations at times.

“It is a connection I have with the younger generation – they could be my grandchildren,” he said. “If I have to dance to be connected with them I will continue to dance.

“I’m not going to apologise when it’s our culture to dance and have fun.”

Michael Jones9 December 2022 13:57

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Brazil’s Alex Sandro on the bench

Alex Sandro is Brazil’s first choice left-back but was substituted off in the 86th minute of their second World Cup Group G match against Switzerland with a muscle problem in his left hip.

He was ruled out for their final group stage match with Cameroon as well as the last-16 clash versus South Korea, with coach Tite admitting yesterday that it was unlikely he would feature against Croatia.

“All indications are towards (Alex Sandro) not participating (in the match against Croatia),” Tite said.

“He has a different injury (than the ankle injury Neymar and Danilo suffered). He still needs to push a little harder, I have to see with the medical and physical department. It will depend on (Thursday) afternoon.”

Sandro has been named on the bench but probably won’t feature unless necessary.

Michael Jones9 December 2022 13:53

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Croatia vs Brazil team changes

Zlatko Dalic makes two changes to the Croatia team that defeated Japan in a penalty shootout last time out. Borna Sosa returns at left back in place of Borna Barisic and Mario Pasalic is given the nod up top ahead of Bruno Petkovic.

Michael Jones9 December 2022 13:49

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Croatia vs Brazil line-ups

Croatia XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Kramaric, Pasalic, Perisic

Brazil XI: Alisson, Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Danilo, Casemiro, Paqueta, Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Richarlison

Michael Jones9 December 2022 13:42

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A clash of styles

Croatia and Brazil could not be more different in their style of play. The Europeans keep a tight shape, try to maintain possession and don’t overcommit men up the pitch in search of a goal prefering instead to secure their own defence and keep clean sheets (if possible).

Brazil, meanwhile, pass the ball fluidly and quickly. They’re pacey out wide and skillfully adept and taking players on. At times versus South Korea they were playing with a 4-2-4 formation to keep the ball inside the final third and none of their attacking players are afraid to shoot.

If Croatia back themselves to keep teams quiet then Brazil back themselves to outscore anyone. It’ll be interesting to see which gameplan comes out on top today.

Michael Jones9 December 2022 13:41

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‘Tremendous’ effort from transitional Croatia

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic says that his team’s World Cup run has been “tremendous”.

Only four of the players who started the defeat to France in the 2018 final were in Dalic’s starting XI against Japan in Monday’s last-16 game.

“This is a new national team. We have 18 new players who were not here four years ago,” said the manager.

“In 2018 we had a national team that had been playing together for 10 years. They were playing in the best leagues and for the best clubs.

“We need time to mature but I believe that for us to be here at this World Cup among the best eight teams in the world is tremendous.”

Michael Jones9 December 2022 13:37

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Brazil team send well wishes to Pele

Brazilian legend Pele, who won the World Cup three times for Brazil, is currently in hospital as he recovers from a respiratory infection and continues treatment for colon cancer.

Following the team’s 4-1 victory over South Korea last time out Neymar carried a banner onto the pitch that he and his team-mates posed with to send a message of support to Pele and his family.

“It’s tough to talk about Pele with what he is going through,“ Neymar told reporters aftwards. “We wish he can get well soon. We hope we made him feel a bit more comfortable with the banner and with the victory.”

(REUTERS)

Michael Jones9 December 2022 13:33