- World Cup 2022 – Croatia 1-1 Brazil AET (4-2 on pens)
- Neymar scored in extra-time to draw level with former striker Pele – a record held by the Brazilian great for 51 years
- Croatia stun five-time world champions in dramatic penalty shootout win
Neymar walked off the field in Al Rayyan, Qatar, with teammate Dani Alves by his side, tears still rolling down the Brazil forward’s cheeks.
Brazil’s run to the 2022 World Cup final ended in a thriller after Croatia pulled off a stunning upset in a penalty-kick shootout to advance to the semifinals. Again, Neymar couldn’t lead Brazil to a major title.
Originally, the game was tied 1-1, however…
The Croats then kept their composure from the penalty spot after Brazil’s Rodrygo had the first penalty saved by goalkeeping hero Dominik Livakovic, before Marquinhos struck the post with his crucial fourth effort.
Neymar adds another accolade to his already pristine résumé by tying Pelé’s all-time men’s national team scoring record (77) with a goal in the 106th minute.
The 82-year-old Pelé showed his support to Neymar from his hospital bed in Brazil:
“I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day, and I can finally congratulate you for reaching my number of goals with Brazil. We both know that this is more than a figure,” he wrote on Instagram. “Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations, and, above all, everyone who loves our sport… Unfortunately, this is not the happiest day for us,” Pelé added. “My record was set almost 50 years ago, and nobody had managed to get near it until now. You got there, kid. That shows how great your achievement is.”
Neymar hints he could retire from Brazil duty following shock World Cup penalty exit to Croatia.
Neymar said: “I am not closing any doors on the national team, but I am also not guaranteeing 100% that I will return. I need to think a bit more about this, about what is the right thing for me and for the national team.”
