Can Croatia stop this Brazilian force?
Croatia
We didn't see the best of Croatia in their last 16 match against Japan, perhaps because their midfield Mistro was kept quiet. Modric, 37, hardly made any impact on the game before he was substituted. However, despite being a goal down at the break, Croatia responded well in the second half and got level through a lovely curling header from Perisic in the 55th-minute and came close to winning the game in normal time. The match finished in a 1-1 draw and the teams couldn't be separated in extra-time so the quarter0final place was settled on penalties. This shoot-out lacked drama much like the match itself as Japan missed three of their opening four spot-kicks and Croatia converted three of theirs and the tie was decided before either team had to take a fifth penalty.
Predicted Lineup: Livaković (GK), Lovren, Barišić, Juranović, Gvardiol, Modrić, Perišić, Brozović, Kovačić, Kramarić & Pašalić
Brazil
Brazil put on one of the best first-half shows in World Cup history as they scored four times without reply against an unorganised South Korea side. Vinicius Junior got the ball rolling in the 7th-minute with the opening goal and a Neymar penalty 6-minutes later made it 2-0. Richarlison scored a wonderful team goal in the 29th-minute and Paqueta scored a fourth in the 38th-minute. South Korea were far too open and played right into the South American's hands. The second forty-five saw Brazil take their foot off the accelerator and South Korea managed to pull a goal back through a deflected effort from Paik Seung-Ho but it had no bearing on the outcome as Brazil ran out 4-1 winners.
Predicted Lineup: Alisson (GK), Silva, Danilo, Marquinhos, Militão, Casemiro, Paquetá, Neymar, Richarlison, Raphinha & Júnior
Player to Watch: Richarlison
Brazil's new No.9 has impressed in Qatar scoring 3-goals so far and will be looking to add to his tally today when the South Americans take on Croatia. However, despite a great record at international level, not everyone expected much from the former Watford, Everton and now Tottenham striker who has spent most of his career in England and is yet to win a single trophy.
Everton fans will tell you just what kind of player Richarlison is and how much he meant to them after shining for a number of seasons in a distinctly average side. The Brazilian forward moved to Tottenham in the summer but has since failed to hold down a regular first-team slot but surely that won't be the case when the Premier League returns on Boxing Day. Kane and Son have a fantastic partnership, possibly the best in the Premier League but Conte needs to make room for the Brazilian star and play three up front or Richarlison will simply leave for a bigger club.
Richarlison received praise from the original Ronaldo, Ronaldo Nazario, this week. The former Brazil international took to his YouTube channel to speak to the new R9 saying,
“What I did by inspiring you. It’s now your turn to inspire and you are inspiring millions of Brazilians and millions of kids with your art, your goals, your joy to play, your spontaneity, with your feelings. You are a pride to Brazil… It was a beautiful goal (against South Korea) – you are playing centre-forward and you are the out-and-out forward that we haven’t seen for a while. Score a lot more goals. Go for it and bring the sixth World Cup home.”
Ronaldo, 46, is widely considered the best striker of his generation and is a Brazilian legend having lifted the World Cup trophy in 1994 and 2002, although he didn't play in USA 94 he was part of the squad as a 17-year-old. With 62-goals in 98-caps, receiving praise from Ronaldo goes a long way and will surely be a boost to Richarlison's ego, not that he needs one. The Tottenham man has been brimming with confidence since the start of the World Cup and we would put it past the No.9 to score a couple of goals against Croatia today.
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