In a game played at full throttle, it was Croatia who edged out the Selecao in devastating fashion and reached their second successive World Cup semi-final.

Neymar thought he’d won it for Brazil with a stunning goal before Bruno Petkovic pegged back Tite’s side with a goal deep into extra-time to send the tie to penalties.

Croatia netted all of their penalties while Rodrygo – who took the first for Brazil – and Marquinhos failed to find the net for the Selecao as Croatia progress.

It means there will be no World Cup this year to add to Thiago Silva’s glittering career, with the Brazil skipper having been desperate to lift the trophy for his nation.

But there is hope for Kovacic, who heads into the last four with Croatia just as he did four years ago in Russia. The fairytale continues and the midfielder’s performances at this World Cup deserve as much!

The game started brightly with Brazil carving up the first opportunity of the game, with Vinicius Junior stinging the palms of Dominik Livakovic with a curling effort after just five minutes.

Croatia hit back just under 10 minutes later with their first effort of the game to fire a warning shot to the Brazilians. Celtic’s Josip Juranovic set off from inside his own half before slipping the ball to Mario Pasalic to cross, with his centre then turned wide by the advancing Ivan Persic.

Brazil went close to breaking the deadlock on the 20 minute mark, as Vinicius Jr played a neat one-two with Richarlison before seeing his effort charged down by Josko Gvardiol and then cleared from danger.

Kovacic was looking neat and tidy in the Croatia midfield, linking up well with skipper Luka Modric and looking to fire the ball into the attackers at every opportunity.

The Croatian forwards were met by Thiago Silva, however, who was determined to keep them at bay with a number of fine blocks.

Neymar looked the most likely to break the deadlock and he saw a free-kick deflect straight into the arms of the goalkeeper just before the break.

The PSG man was then further denied twice by Livakovic in the second half as the search for an opener went on.

First he saw an effort stopped by the legs of Livakovic from close range before another smart stop ensured he wouldn’t score when played in well by Richarlison.

Brazil were the side on top and pushed hard for a winner with extra-time looming. Lucas Paqueta was denied by a smart low save before Eder Militao’s side-footed effort deflected inches wide of the post.

Kovacic then provided a lung-busting surge from midfield during extra-time but was denied by his Chelsea team-mate Thiago Silva, who got across to make a vital block before Kova could square the ball.

Moments later, some incredible skill from substitute Petkovic skip past his marker before teeing up Marcelo Brozovic but the midfielder could only lash over from the edge of the box.

That miss would cost Croatia as Brazil opened the scoring soon after, on the stroke of half-time in extra-time through Neymar as he drew level with Pele as Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer.

The PSG star picked the ball up in midfield, drove at the defence before playing a one-two and surging into the box. From there, he shimmied past the goalkeeper before lashing the ball into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations in the Education City Stadium.

Kovacic was replaced for the second period of extra-time, having really put in the yards in a fine all-action midfield display, and he could only watch from the bench as Modric and Co pushed for a way back into the tie.

And that came courtesy of Petkovic, who levelled the scores with just a few minutes remaining as he swept the ball beyond Alisson and into the bottom corner.

Both sides had chances to win it late on, with Casemiro seeing an effort kept out by Livakovic with almost the final kick of the tie before penalties were called.

Rodrygo was handed the task of getting Brazil up and running but he failed to do so, as Livakovic kept out his effort.

Croatia showed their composure from the spot as Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Modric and Mislav Orsic all found the back of the net.

Casemiro and Pedro both netted for Brazil but Marquinhos, who had to score, saw his effort bounce back off the base of the post as wild Croatian celebrations both on the pitch and in the stands began.