Brazil and Croatia will kickstart the Qatar World Cup quarterfinals on December 9 on the Education City Stadium.
Croatia, the 2018 runner-up, comes into this match hoping to erase its no-win report towards the South American large. For that, the Luka Modric-led aspect would want to brush apart the strains of its draining penalty shootout win over Japan within the spherical of 16.
Brazil, alternatively, strides in after an electrifying attacking show towards South Korea.
Here are some key participant battles which can outline the sport:
Neymar vs Marcelo Brozovic
Brazil’s Neymar grabs his ankle after an harm in the course of the World Cup group G soccer match between Brazil and Serbia, on the the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone by way of AP)
| Photo Credit: LAURENT GILLIERON
When Neymar suffered an ankle harm within the first recreation, Brazil followers would have feared the worst. In 2014, Neymar’s harm ultimately snowballed right into a calamitous 1-7 defeat to Germany.
But, luckily for Brazil, Neymar bounced again from the setback and performed a key function in his aspect’s 4-1 win over Switzerland within the spherical of 16.
The man tasked with reigning in Neymar for the quarterfinal would be the Croatian workhorse Marcelo Brozovic.
In a Croatian era blessed with some unimaginable midfielders, Brozovic is the least talked about. It is generally all the way down to his lack of aptitude in comparison with compatriots Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic.
But what he lacks in expertise, he makes up for together with his metal. Against Japan, he coated 16.7kms, breaking his personal report of 16.3 km set towards England in 2018.
If Brozovic fails to rein within the skilful Neymar, the Croatians may have an uphill battle towards the limitless pool of Brazilian assault.
Richarlison vs Josko Gvardiol
Richarlison has taken up the mantle as Brazil’s quantity 9, with three targets, two of them contenders for the purpose of the event, thus far.
For Croatia, 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol has been a rock on the coronary heart of the defence and is within the sights of a number of top-tier European groups.
Gvardiol, who is definitely identifiable due to his black masks, has proven composure past his age.
Richarlison’s largest take a look at of the World Cup will come towards imposing Gvardiol, who can be trying to tame one other elite ahead.
Casemiro vs Luka Modric
Former teammates, Casemiro and Luka Modric, have usually been accomplices for Real Madrid for a lot of a midfield battle. But on Friday, the duo will go face to face to find out the future of the sport.
Casemiro has been one of many stars of the event for Brazil, together with his winner towards Switzerland capping his contributions.
His presence within the midfield has supplied Brazil with a way of calm and stability for its attacking skills to flourish.
Meanwhile, Modric goes at it at 37, with him nonetheless on the coronary heart of all of it for Croatia. He has made seven interceptions (solely three gamers have made extra) and 32 recoveries (eighth finest) within the World Cup thus far.
Brazil’s and Croatia’s development within the event will rely closely on the midfield battle between this duo.
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