Just like a flash, Brazil's World Cup hopes have up in smoke.
They were expected to win this afternoon's World Cup quarter-final against Croatia rather comfortably, although the reality was far different. The game was a rather dull affair, although it looked like the South American side would win it after Neymar opened the scoring in extra-time.
🇭🇷 1-0 🇧🇷 (ET)
Croatia finally breached - Neymar with the breakthrough
📺 Watch live now on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer: https://t.co/2a31t0nJdX
📱 Live updates: https://t.co/EZCrAHAxae#FifaWorldCup #CROBRA #rtsoccer pic.twitter.com/QHd0mHMsO1— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 9, 2022
However, it was far from over.
Despite looking unlikely to score for the majority of the contest, Croatia would muster an equaliser to send the tie to penalties.
🇭🇷 🇧🇷
Bruno Petkovic with a deserved equaliser for Croatia
📺 Watch live now on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer: https://t.co/2a31t06GbX
📱 Live updates: https://t.co/EZCrAHju8e#FifaWorldCup #CROBRA #rtsoccer pic.twitter.com/cKxWo2BFQA— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 9, 2022
Brazil never really got going in the shootout.
After Rodrygo missed their opening spot kick, the Croatians failed to miss any of their own. Ultimately, Marquinhos would miss the fourth one and condemn his side to defeat.
🇭🇷 v 🇧🇷
Brazil are heading home as Croatia once more display their penalty prowess to again advance to the semi-finals
Watch live now on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer: https://t.co/2a31t06GbX
📱 Live updates: https://t.co/EZCrAHju8e#FifaWorldCup #CROBRA #rtsoccer pic.twitter.com/4AKyE8X3Tr— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 9, 2022
RTÉ panel disagree over Neymar in penalty shootout
One notable aspect of the shootout was that Neymar never got the opportunity to hit a penalty. It is assumed that he would have been the fifth taker for his country, although things never got that far.
We have seen similar incidents in the past, most notably with Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal against Spain at Euro 2012. Star players often want to take what could be the deciding penalty, but this sometimes backfires.
Would Brazil have been better served by trotting Neymar out among the first takers and attempting to get a goal on the board? Perhaps.
Many will feel this all comes down to Neymar's ego, with the PSG man wanting his name in the headlines after scoring the decisive spot kick.
There was some disagreement on RTÉ about this very issue after the game. Tony O'Donoghue suggested that there was a bit of 'narcissism' on Neymar's behalf at play, something Liam Brady agreed with. However, Richie Sadlier wasn't so sure.
Sadlier: To think that there would be five penalties and him not be on any of them would mean that he would have stood on the pitch and said 'sorry lads, carry on without me'. I don't think he did that, I don't think that's a possibility at all...
Brady: I think he wanted to take the fifth in the hope that it was going to be the crowning penalty.
O'Donoghue: Didn't that happen with Ronaldo before? Isn't it a reflection of a sort of narcissism?
Sadlier: Well somebody has to say I'm going fifth. It isn't always a failing of your personality or that you have to be the main man.
Brady: I agree with you, I think he wanted to go fifth.
Sadlier: So everyone that goes fifth is for (their ego)?
Brady: Not everybody, but it was for Neymar. He's that kind of man.
Sadlier: I don't disagree with that, I don't disagree with that at all. We're absolutely on the same page when it comes to Neymar. I don't think you can criticism for going 'I'll take the penalty which could eventually be of most pressure'. What you can criticise him fairly strongly for is how abject his performance was throughout the match.
Brady: Modric came out and took the third penalty. That shows the difference in their characters. I think Neymar was hoping he would get the glory of scoring the winning penalty.
This is sure to be a part of the discussion in Brazil in the days ahead, with the nation likely to be distraught after falling short in a World Cup yet again.
Many had them as favourites to win the tournament, something that looked well off the mark.
Liam Brady felt that both this team and Neymar as a player have been far too overhyped in recent years.
'People were saying this is a great Brazil team. Samba football. But it showed today that it's nowhere near a great Brazil team' - The panel reflect on another Brazilian exit
Watch live now on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer: https://t.co/2a31t0nJdX#FifaWorldCup #CROBRA #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/mAAwdqgkNy— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 9, 2022
I wouldn't put Neymar in the top five Brazilian players that I've seen in my lifetime.
I'd pick out Pele and Jairzinho from the 70s, Ronaldinho. This guy is a large cod.
Damning.
Brazil will now have to wait until 2026 for another crack at this tournament, although the scars developed over the last decade could well have a lasting effect moving forward.
SEE ALSO: Celtic Fans Are Adding Millions To Defender's Transfer Fee After Brazil Performance
