Captain Thiago Silva tried to face reality after Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia on penalties. “It is difficult, very difficult. We are very sad, but it is the way it is. Life goes on, even now that the tournament is over for us.”
“I am proud of all our players,” said the 38-year-old defender of Chelsea. “We did everything we could and lost because luck was not on our side. It’s a pity, but that’s football. However, we should not blame ourselves.”
Brazil took the lead in extra time thanks to Neymar, but had to allow the equalizer shortly before the final whistle. “We had the win within reach,” said Casemiro, now a Manchester United midfielder. “And then we give it away. Unbelieveable. We have been working towards this tournament for four years and then we let everything slip through our fingers. I can’t find words for it yet.”
National coach Zlatko Dalic of Croatia was obviously a lot more enthusiastic. “We are very, very proud. For the second consecutive time we are in the semi-finals of a World Cup, my players are going crazy now. What they have achieved is also almost impossible. We came back from a lost position. I think everyone knows by now that you should never underestimate Croatia. But as far as we’re concerned, this isn’t the end yet. We want more than the semi-final.”
In the semifinals, Croatia will play against the winner of the game between the Netherlands and Argentina.
Check everything about the World Cup in Qatar here, with the latest news and the schedule of the Orange squad, the schedule, the premium stories, columns, videos and podcasts.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.