Jermaine Jenas criticises Brazil as favourites eliminated by Croatia

‘Hearts have been broken in Brazil, but they didn’t do enough’: Jermaine Jenas among those criticising the South Americans for not seeing off Croatia before being eliminated on penalties

• Croatia beat Brazil in a penalty shootout to send one of the favourites home
• Pundits had their say on a tight finish to the first of the World Cup quarter-finals 
• Brazil were eliminated after Marquinhos hit a decisive spot kick against the post 
• Find more of Sportsmail’s latest 2022 World Cup content through this link 

Pundits have been quick to hit out at Brazil for not seeing out the game against Croatia – before losing 4-2 on penalties to their European opponents.  

After a goalless 90 minutes, Brazil and Croatia played out a 1-1 draw in extra time after Neymar’s opener was cancelled out by Bruno Petkovic four minutes from time.

The South American side came unstuck in the shootout, first when Rodrygo was denied with their opening penalty, and then Marquinhos hit the post with a vital spotkick to keep Brazil in the game, after Croatia had converted all of their efforts.

Marquinhos hit the post with Brazil’s final spot kick, eliminating them at the expense of Croatia

Jermaine Jenas said Brazil ‘should have done more’ during the game to secure their victory

Speaking to the BBC after the match, Jermaine Jenas said: ‘Hearts have been broken in Brazil, but they didn’t do enough. They could have done more, should have done more.’

Whilst Brazil were many people’s tip to go all the way in Qatar, the tournament has been littered with shocks from Saudi Arabia defeating Argentina in the group stages through to Morocco’s own penalty shootout win on Tuesday which eliminated Spain. 

Fellow pundit Alex Scott felt it was a continuation of that trend, adding: ‘Brazil were my favourites, they were many people’s favourites. This is a World Cup that keeps throwing up surprises.’

Micah Richards spoke about the shock experienced by Brazil’s travelling support. The former Man City player said: ‘They can’t believe it because they were so close, yet so far. It is like they can’t believe it. The fans have been brilliant.’

Jurgen Klinsmann hailed Croatia’s ‘mentality’ after they came from behind to eliminate Brazil

The German pundit said he felt the game shifted with Bruno Petkovic’s 116th minute equaliser

Alex Scott said the result followed the trend of surprise results at the 2022 World Cup

Former German international Jurgen Klinnsmann hailed Brazil’s opponents, especially as it looked like they were going to be sent home with five minutes remaining. 

The 58-year-old told the BBC: ‘You are only as good as your opponent. Croatia were resilient. We thought it was over, but they never gave up. It was fantastic, their mentality.’

However, he raised questions over Tite’s Brazil, who were favourites to progress after their impressive showing in the last-16, and they had the advantage in extra time.   

The 1990 World Cup winner said: ‘We had the feeling during the 120 minutes that Brazil did not have the killer instinct to finish this match off. The job was never done. They will ask why did we not score the second goal and let them come back. They are devasted, they can’t comprehend what has happened. 

Tite and Richarlison were devastated after Brazil’s World Cup elimination was confirmed

Micah Richards hailed Brazil’s fans as they were shocked into seeing their team eliminated

‘It will sit with [Brazil] them deep, deep. They prepared for this for a couple of years, coming through a gruelling qualifying process. They were hungry, full of energy, but there was a lack of quality.’  

He felt the game at the Education City Stadium changed with Petkovic’s late equaliser. ‘The momentum really shifted with that Croatia goal, just before the end of extra time,’ Klinsmann said. 

‘What goes through your mind if you are a Brazilian player, you get scared. The whole nation expects you to get through and you panic. You are far more nervous because you don’t have any time to balance yourself out.’

Klinsmann said the result would hit Brazil ‘deep’ after years of planning in the run-up to it

It was only the second penalty shootout loss Brazil have suffered at the men’s World Cup, following on from their 1986 exit against France in Guadalajara, Mexico. 

On that day, Brazil also left the tournament at the quarter-final stage, with penalty misses from Socrates and Julio Cesar as they lost 4-3 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw in normal time. France went on to finish third that year. 

2018 runners-up Croatia will face either Argentina or Holland in the first of the two World Cup semi-finals on Tuesday. 

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