By Oyero Abiodun Yakub
In the Quarter Finals of the ongoing 2022 World cup, Croatia and Argentina have scaled through to the Semi-final, crashing out Brazil and Netherlands respectively.
Both teams lost via penalty shootout after 120 minutes of play on the pitch.
Croatia and Brazil ended the 90mins with a goalless draw. The hope of the South American country was raised after Neymar found the back of the net in the 105th minute, but was short-lived, as Petkovic equalized with 3 mins away from the end of the extra time.
The match resulted in a penalty shootout, and Croatia won by 2 goals margin, with Rodrygo and Maquinhos losing for the Brazilian side. It ended in a 4-2 count, in favor of Croatia.
Later in the night, Netherlands would face off with South American, Argentina for the second feature of the Quarterfinals, with the latter also winning via penalty shootout.
The Southern American side took the lead before half-time of play with a goal from Molina in the 35th minute. Lionel Messi doubled the lead with a penalty kick after Acuna was fouled in the 18-yard box.
Substitute Weghorst scored for the Netherlands in the 83rd minute, keeping the hope of an equalizer alive. His wish came to pass when Netherland got a free kick in the last 10 minutes of play added time after 90 minutes. He confidently put it past Martinez, as he got the pass from Steven Berghuis.
The match dragged to penalty shootout after the added 30 mins of play, and Argentina was favored with 4 goals to 3 at the end.
