Five-time champions and favourites, Brazil will take on 2018 finalists Croatia in the opening quarter final match of 2022 FIFA World Cup on Friday evening at the Education City Stadium.This will be the first meeting between the sides since a 2018 friendly match which Brazil won 2-0. The last World Cup meeting was in 2014, a group stage tie that the Simba Boys equally won by a 3-1 scoreline.##NAJAVA_MECA_6870963##Brazil stormed to the quarters after demolishing South Korea 4-1 in the round of 16 while Croatia edged out Japan 3-1 in post-match penalties after the match ended in a barren stalemate in regulation and extra time. Dominik Livakovic was the hero of the game, saving three of Japan’s penalties.The South Americans will be wary of the not so fancy but effective Croatia side. Whilst the Selecao have the flair, Croatia have mastered the art of grinding results. They have stretched matches to extra time and have been to extra time in seven of their last eight knockout matches at major tournaments.The #FIFAWorldCup is back tonight 🔥🔥🔥QUARTER FINALS ⚽️The People’s Favourite Brazil 🇧🇷 take on 2018 finalists Croatia 🇭🇷 as Louis Van Gaal and the Netherlands 🇳🇱 look to end Lionel Messi and Argentina’s 🇦🇷 journey in #Qatar2022#CRO🇭🇷 vs #BRA – 6pm#NED vs #ARG- 10pm pic.twitter.com/FMdj74sFny— Robert Abong’o (@r_abongo) December 9, 2022 They have lost just one of their last 20 games since the Euro 2020 an indicator that they are a side that cannot just be wished away. The likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic and Andrej Kramaric are players that could hurt the Selecao.Brazil on the other hand, have been in fluid form. They put four past South Korea in the round of 16 and Croatia will be wary of the threat posed by the likes of Neymar, Richarlison, Raphinha and Vinicius Junior who are all in scary form. Many have predicted that they could end their 20-year drought for a world title in Qatar.On the injury front, Croatia have full house and will field their strongest lineup in the game. Brazil on the other hand are without Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles, both have been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with injuries.Friday1800: (9.50)Croatia (5.15) Brazil (1.42)2200: (3.45) Netherlands (3.10) Argentina (2.40)
