Argentina and Croatia win World Cup quarterfinal games on penalties

Soccer Football - Copa America 2021 - Final - Brazil v Argentina - Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 10, 2021 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates winning the Copa America as he kisses the trophy REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Argentina and Croatia are each two wins away from winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On Friday, two quarterfinal matches went to penalties, with Croatia defeating Brazil 4-2 after being tied on the pitch at one goal apiece and Agentina beating Netherlands 4-3 after being tied on the pitch at two goals apiece.

In the Croatia/Brazil contest, Neymar put Brazil up 1-0 with a goal in the first minute of extra time in the first half of extra time. (In other words the 16th minute of extra time after the game was deadlocked at zero after regulation). Croatia then responded on a goal by Bruno Petkovic, a striker for Dinamo Zagreb in the 27th minute of extra time.

In the penalties, Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic of Dinamo Zagreb made a save on the first shot attempt for Brazil by Rodrygo. Croatia scored four goals on penalty kicks and then eliminated Brazil when Marquinhos hit the post.

In the Argentina/Netherlands contest, Argentina went up 2-0 on goals by Nahuel Molina of Atletico Madrid (in the 35th minute) and Lionel Messi of Paris St-Germain (in the 73rd minute on a penalty kick). The Netherlands then tied the game at two with goals in the 83rd and 101st minutes. Argentina won the game on penalties thanks to two great saves by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa.

Only once before has Croatia played Argentina at the World Cup. That was four years ago in the Group Stage in Russia, with Croatia winning 3-0. The Croatian goal scorers were Ante Rebic, Luka Modric, and Ivan Rakitic.