It’ll be a battle between two powerhouses on Friday as Croatia vs Brazil is the first game of the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals at Education City Stadium. Croatia was the runner-up in 2018 while Brazil is the top-ranked nation in the world. These two have met only twice in competitive games and Brazil triumphed each time. The last time it happened was at the 2014 World Cup when Neymar scored two goals.
Brazil opened as the slight favorite at -125 on the moneyline with Croatia coming in right behind them at -105. The total was set at 2.5 goals with the UNDER going 9-1 in Brazil’s last 10 matches. The two nations have met just four times overall with Brazil going 3-1-0 in those matches – a nod to the favorites for your Croatia vs Brazil prediction.
Livakovic Plays The Hero For Croatia In Penalties
Croatia didn’t have its best showing in the Round of 16 but eventually got past Japan in penalties, winning 1-1 (3-1). The Japanese took the lead early in the first half thanks to a goal in the 43rd minute from Daizen Maeda. Ivan Perisic responded for Croatia in the 55th minute but neither team could conjure another goal. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero for Croatia in penalties, stopping three of four shots to send his team to the quarterfinals.
While the Croats are through to the final eight, they would probably admit that they haven’t played their best football so far in the tournament. Croatia has just five goals through four matches, with four of those coming against Canada, while being held scoreless twice. Brazil has been one of the best defensive teams in Qatar, so Croatia will need to find a way to pick it up.
Brazil Scores Four In First Half To Defeat South Korea
Brazil had its best performance of the World Cup on Monday, steamrolling South Korea 4-1 to reach the quarterfinals. Vinicius Jr. scored just seven minutes in to open the scoring while Neymar scored a penalty six minutes later to blow the game wide open. Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta added goals in the first half as Brazil cruised to victory from there.
The Brazilians have spread the scoring around at this World Cup with five different goal scorers, headlined by Richarlison, who leads the team with three. Vinicius Jr. has also been a standout performer, notching his first goal of the tournament in the Round of 16 while going into the quarterfinals with a team-high two assists. Neymar, who sat out the final two group-stage matches with an ankle injury, also got his first goal of the tournament against South Korea.
Croatia Vs Brazil Game Prop: Total First-Half Goals OVER 1.5 (+173)
While Croatia hasn’t produced many goals in the tournament, they still possess some highly skilled players like Perisic and Luka Modric who can break out at any time. On the other side of the pitch, you’ve got a Brazilian team that’s coming off a four-goal first half, so there could be some fireworks in the opening 45 minutes of this one.
Croatia: Keys To Victory
Outside of a 4-1 win over Canada in their second group-stage match, Croatia has largely looked uninspired at this World Cup. If they’re going to beat Brazil, they’ll need to be more creative and clinical in the attacking third, which means star players like Perisic and Modric will likely need to be difference-makers.
Brazil: Keys To Victory
We saw the best of Brazil in their Round of 16 win over South Korea as they combined their skill and flair with efficiency in the attacking third. If the canary shirts can bring that same level of determination into this match, their skill should lead them into the semifinals.
Brazil is 10-0-1 in its last 11 matches.
Croatia is 9-4-1 in its last 14 matches.
The UNDER is 9-4-1 in Croatia’s last 14 matches.
