Croatia vying for semi-final spot at FIFA World Cup ahead of five-time champions, Brazil.

Having reached the quarterfinals at the expense of Japan, the Checkered Ones are back against five-time World Cup champions, Brazil, for a spot in the semi-finals at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Croatia vs. Brazil kicks off at 16:00 (GMT+1) on Friday, December 9, at the Education City Stadium.

Croatia earned their spot in the quarterfinals following a penalty shootout with Japan after both sides were locked in a 1-1 draw after extra time. "On Sunday, we practiced penalties in training, and he [Dominik Livaković] made several important saves. I trusted in him," Zlatko Dalić said after seeing his 27-year-old Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper keep out three penalties. Having reached the quarterfinals in back-to-back editions of the World Cup, the Checkered Ones are now looking to reach the semi-finals for only a third time since their debut appearance at the World Cup in France, in 1998. With Brazil tipped as favorites for Friday’s clash, Croatia are well positioned to pull off an upset, having swept Argentina aside in a 3-0 win the last time they faced South American opposition at the FIFA World Cup in 2018. The Checkered Ones remain winless in four meetings with the Little Canary [0W, 1D, & 3L] but remain unbeaten in five games, WDWDD*, ahead of Friday’s clash. Bruno Petković replaced Marko Livaja at the focal point of attack against the Samurai Blue, while Andrej Kramarić and Ivan Perišić remained in place. Dalić is expected to keep the 4—3—3 with all three in attack.

Brazil made light work of South Korea following a 4-1 win over the Asian side for their eighth consecutive appearance at the quarterfinals, having made an entry in each episode since USA 94. The emphatic victory left players and coach dancing, drawing the ire of several pundits, including the likes of Roy Keane, who dubbed it "disrespectful." "There was no disrespect for the opposition or towards Paulo Bento [South Korea coach], for whom I have a lot of respect," Tite said. The Seleção [WWWLW] are looking to pick up back-to-back victories over the Checkered Ones, having bagged a 2-0 win in their last meeting in June 2018. With the return of Neymar, Brazil dropped the 4—3—3 seen against Cameroon for a 4—2—3—1 against South Korea, with the PSG forward slipping behind Richarlison and alongside Vinicius Junior and Raphinha. The latter is expected against Croatia with Richarlison in attack. The victor will take on either the Netherlands or Argentina in a semi-final clash on December 13. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus went under the knife for knee surgery following an injury in the 1-0 loss to Cameroon. The Arsenal forward will be sidelined for as long as three months, with a return date set for March.