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Croatia vs Brazil – 2022 World Cup quarter-final: Team news, possible lineups & prediction
Brazil will make an effort to maintain their chances of winning a record-extending sixth world title when they square off with Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals on Friday at Education City Stadium.
Croatia will face Brazil in a matchup between two groups that put on contrasting performances to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Brazil’s second-round encounter against South Korea was finished after 12 minutes, finally clanging in four daring first-half goals, but Croatia labored through 120 minutes and penalties to edge past Japan.
Brazil has dropped each of their last five elimination games against European teams since defeating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup final.
The Selecao has faced Croatia four times before, but has never lost. Additionally, their 1-0 group-stage setback to Cameroon last week was their only loss in their previous 19 matches, which is encouraging going into Friday’s match.
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Team News:
Borna Sosa and Josip Stanisic of Croatia missed their team’s victory over Japan due to illness and a muscle injury, respectively. The former should be able to play and might take Borna Barisic’s spot at left-back, while the latter is still questionable and will be evaluated before kickoff.
Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic, three midfield masters who, along with Barisic and Dejan Lovren, are just one caution away from suspension, are all set to keep their spots in Dalic’s starting lineup on Friday.
In fact, Lovren and coveted starlet Josko Gvardiol will continue their defensive partnership, while Marko Livaja and Ante Budimir will compete to replace Bruno Petkovic as the central striker. On the flanks, Perisic and Andrej Kramaric are prepared to re-start.
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Brazil will be without Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles for the rest of the World Cup due to knee ailments, and Alex Sandro is questionable due to a hip issue.
After missing the two previous games, the 31-year-old has been working out by himself with the team’s physical trainer. If the Juventus teammate is not declared fit to start, Danilo will likely take his place at left-back, joining Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, and Eder Militao in the back four.
Three Selecao players, including Militao, Fred, and Bruno Guimaraes, are only one caution away from missing a potential semifinal match. The latter two are anticipated to start again on the bench as Tite prefers Casemiro and Paqueta to start in center midfield.
Star forward Neymar is expected to continue in an advanced role between wings Raphinha and Vinicius Junior while Richarlison is expected to lead the team up front after overcoming an ankle injury to start and score against South Korea.
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Possible Lineup:
Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Casemiro, Paqueta; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr; Richarlison
- Score Prediction:
Prediction: Croatia 1-2 Brazil.