- Croatia knocked Brazil out of the 2022 World Cup on penalty kicks on Friday.
- After the loss, Brazilian superstar Neymar was left stunned and in tears on the pitch.
Croatia did it again.
After playing Brazil to a 0-0 draw through 90 minutes and trading goals in extra time, Croatia and Brazil went to penalty kicks to determine which squad would advance to the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup.
Croatia didn't miss a kick, and after Brazil's Marquinhos hit the left post, Croatia was through and the World Cup favorites were heading home.
—FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2022
The moment was especially heartbreaking for Brazilian superstar Neymar, whose goal in extra time gave Brazil a 1-0 lead for a few fleeting moments.
But Croatia was able to strike back to send the match to penalty kicks, and win, leaving Neymar in tears at midfield, wondering what went wrong.
—FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 9, 2022
But out of the dark moment shined a bright bit of sportsmanship.
As Neymar stood stunned at midfield, he was approached by a young child from the Croatian celebration. It was the son of Croatian winger Ivan Perisic, who took a moment to step aside from his cheering countrymen and console Neymar.
—David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 9, 2022
Fans watching on Twitter celebrated the younger Perisic's grace in the moment.
—Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) December 9, 2022
—Shivani Tanna (@shivanitanna9) December 9, 2022
—Amanda Shook (@amandashook21) December 9, 2022
—Nella (@Nella97_) December 9, 2022
—Mabushi Mawela (@Mr_Mawela) December 9, 2022
At the 2018 World Cup, Croatia made it all the way to the final before falling to France.
With their win over Brazil, they are one step closer to making it back to the biggest match in world soccer.