National Teams

Neymar and Firmino for victory

Brazil overcomes
Croatia challenge at
Anfield

03.06.2018.
Brazil overcomes Croatia challenge at Anfield
photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
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In a friendly international at Anfield, Brazil defeated Croatia 2:0, courtesy of Neymar and Firmino second-half goals.

BRAZIL - CROATIA 2:0 (0:0)
International friendly.
Anfield Stadium, Liverpool.

Referee: M. Oliver (England)

Goals: 1:0 - Neymar (69'), 2:0 - Firmino (90+3')

Cautions: Kramarić (13'), Perišić (38'), Fernandinho (40'), Rakitić (79')

Brazil: Alisson, Marcelo (60' Filipe Luis), Thiago Silva, Miranda (65' Marquinhos), Danilo, Casemiro, Fernandinho (46' Neymar), Paulinho, Willian (81' Taison), Coutinho (81' Fred), Gabriel Jesus (60' Firmino). Head coach: Tite.

Croatia: Subašić, Vida, Ćorluka (52' Ćaleta-Car), Lovren, Vrsaljko (87' Jedvaj), Badelj (61' Brozović), Rakitić (83' Bradarić), Modrić (58' Kovačić), Perišić, Rebić (64' Pjaca), Kramarić. Head coach: Z. Dalić.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the first of the two international friendlies scheduled in the final preparation stage for the World Cup, Croatia faced Brazil at the iconic Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, with five-time world champions securing the victory.

The Vatreni have performed very well in the first 45 minutes, with Lovren, Kramarić i Rebić threatening the Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, while it was Willian on the other side who had a dangerous shot blocked.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

After the break, both teams have used all of their six substitutions. Young defender Ćaleta-Car made his senior debut, and Brazil capitalized on a better performance, scoring on two occasions.

On 69 minute, Coutinho found Neymar, and the Brazilian superstar avoided defensive obstacles to fire under the Subašić's bar. Three minutes into added time, Firmino escaped to chip the ball and make it 2:0.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Rebić came close for Croatia on 59 minute, trying a header following Kramarić's cross. Immediately after the match, the Vatreni returned to their homeland to continue the FIFA World Cup preparations.

The final friendly test for Croatia is scheduled on 8 June, against Senegal in Osijek.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

03.06.2018., , Liverpool. Spectators: 36584
Referees: M. Oliver (ENG), S. Burt, S. Bennett
Fourth referee: P. Tierney
Brazil
2
Croatia
0
1Alisson23Danijel Subašić
2Thiago Silva9Andrej Kramarić
13'
3MIranda
65'		7Ivan Rakitić
78'
83'
5Casemiro10Luka Modrić
58'
9Gabriel Jesus
60'		5Vedran Ćorluka
52'
11Philippe Coutinho
81'		2Šime Vrsaljko
87'
12Marcelo
60'		18Ante Rebić
64'
14Danilo4Ivan Perišić
38'
15Paulinho19Milan Badelj
61'
17Fernandinho
46'		21Domagoj Vida
19Willian
81'		6Dejan Lovren
Bench
4Geromel12Lovre Kalinić
6Filipe Luis
60'		14Filip Bradarić
83'
10Neymar Junior
69'
46'		8Mateo Kovačić
58'
13Marquinhos
65'		13Tin Jedvaj
87'
16Cassio20Marko Pjaca
64'
18Fred
81'		22Josip Pivarić
20Firmino
90'+3'
60'		3Ivan Strinić
21Taison
81'		17Mario Mandžukić
22Fagner11Marcelo Brozović
61'
23Ederson16Nikola Kalinić
15Matej Mitrović
24Duje Ćaleta-Car
52'
Coaches
TiteZlatko Dalić

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić and national team captain Luka Modrić held a press conference regarding the friendly international against Brazil.

Zlatko Dalić

"We meet one of the favourites for the World Cup title and we have to stand firm, testing our weaknesses and strengths. This is an excellent test for our Argentina encounter, when we'll need both to attack and defend. This may be the biggest match of my coaching career, but I am an optimist, I truly believe in my squad, and I wanted this match to prove our quality to myself, to players, and to the fans. We have all we need to perform well at the World Cup". 

"Against Brazil, we'll try some things regarding Argentina and Messi, trying to keep a clean sheet, and we'll probably always get a chance to score. Croatia will use all six substitutions, especially in midfield, and our Champions League finalists will get some rest. It will be an excellent test, whether we win or lose. Stability is crucial, we need to focus our energy on Nigeria opener. Brazil and Senegal friendlies are here to answer some question, but I am extremely satisfied with our work, there were literally no problems during practice sessions. This gives me hope". 

Luka Modrić

"It is beautiful to be at this iconic stadium of Anfield and I look forward to this match. I hope that Croatia is going to perform well in front of many supporters, and that everyone can enjoy the match. Brazil is among the favourites to win the World Cup, this amazing team has unusually strong midfield. Neymar is one of the best players in the world, his qualities are well-known and he is the key player for Brazil. In 2014, Croatia confirmed that it can counter Brazil, but unfortunately we lost. Brazil is better than four years ago, but so are we, and I expect a tough match. This test will be very useful to Croatia, regardless of the result".

"I'm getting used to Zlatko Dalić's philosophy of football and his ideas, I believe everything is working just fine in Croatia squad, and I hope things will develop in the same direction. My expectations of the World Cup are great, as always, and our main objective remains to reach the second round. Croatia has enough quality".