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Croatia and Brazil have played four times – a look how the previous matches ended

On Friday, Croatia will face 5-time world champions Brazil for a place in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

In terms of opponents and spectacle on the big stage, you could not get bigger for Croatia. 

The quarterfinal, which will be played at Education City Stadium in Doha, will be the third time the two nations have met at a World Cup.

– Realistically, Brazil is the most powerful and best team in this World Cup. When you look at their selection of players, quality, depth and value, it’s terrifying. We have a big test ahead of us. They will need to prepare very well for that match, but we have nothing to fear. We have to go into the match with a lot of faith and confidence, look for our opportunities and enjoy the football, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić said yesterday. 

Croatia and Brazil have played two friendly matches also. There was also a match between a Croatian selection and a Brazilian Olympic selection in the 1996 which ended 1-1.

Here is a look at how all previous official senior encounters between the two nations ended.

17 August 2005 (Friendly) – Croatia 1-1 Brazil 

This friendly match took place in the summer of 2005 in front of 30,000 fans at Poljud Stadium. Niko Kranjčar gave Croatia the lead in the 32nd minute before Ricardinho levelled just before halftime. 

Starting line-ups:

Croatia: Butina, R. Kovač, Šimunić, Srna, Tomas, Tudor, Babić, N. Kovač, Krajnčar, Klasnić, Olić

Brazil: Dida, Cafu, Juan, Roberto Carlos, Lucio, Emerson, Kaka, Richardinho, Ze Roberto, Adriano, Ronaldo

13 June 2006 (World Cup) – Brazil 1-0 Croatia

This match was the first competitive match the two nations played and it was in the group stages at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Croatia put up a good fight but would go down to a solitary goal from Kaka just before half-time.  

Starting line-ups:

Croatia: Pletkosa, R. Kovač, Šimunić, Šimić, Srna, Tudor, Babić, N. Kovač, Krajnčar, Klasnić, Pršo

Brazil: Dida, Cafu, Juan, Roberto Carlos, Lucio, Emerson, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ze Roberto, Adriano, Ronaldo

12 June 2014 (World Cup) – Brazil 3-1 Croatia

This match was the opening game of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and Croatia could not have got off to a better start when Marcelo put the ball in his own net to give Croatia a 1-0 lead. A double from Neymar and a late goal from Oscar gave the hosts the win.

Starting line-ups:

Croatia: Pletkosa, Ćorluka, Lovren, Srna, Vrsaljko, Kovačić, Modrić, Rakitić, Perišić, Jelavić, Olić

Brazil: Cesar, Alves, Gustavo, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Oscar, Paulinho, Hulk, Fred, Neymar

03 June 2018 (Friendly) – Brazil 2-0 Croatia

This friendly match was played at Anfield in Liverpool just before Croatia departed for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Goals to Neymar and Roberto Firmino gave Brazil the win on the day.  

Starting line-ups:

Croatia: Subašić, Ćorluka, Lovren, Vida, Vrsaljko, Badelj, Modrić, Rakitić, Perišić, Kramarić, Rebić

Brazil: Becker, Danilo, Miranda, Silva, Fernandihno, Marcelo, Casemiro, Paulinho, Willian, Coutinho, Jesus

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