World Cup: Brazil impressive, Croatia says thank you to their goalkeeper… what to remember from Monday 5 December

Surprising, but what is surprising? The favorites did emerge victorious in their round of 16 on Monday. Croatia struggled with Japan before winning on penalties after a close match (1:1, 3:1 on penalties). His opponent in the quarter-finals, Brazil, struggled much less to defeat South Korea (4-1) in the evening. Here’s what to remember from Monday, December 5th in Qatar.

Walk: Brazil very easy against South Korea

Attention, the favorite is in very good shape. Brazil went through (4-1) to the 1/8 finals against South Korea. 4-0 in less than forty minutes, impressive Richarlison in attack, Neymar’s flawless defender – we’ll come back to this – and a great technical demonstration. Four different scorers – Vinicius, Neymar, Richarlison, Paqueta – and Alisson warn of the possibilities of the Koreans and give the impression of a very blurred team. Good luck Croatia on Friday.

Ghost: Neymar is better and will join Pele and Ronaldo

He has not played since suffering a troubling right ankle injury against Serbia on his Brazil debut. Set by his coach Tite, Neymar appeared to be unharmed and scored his first goal of the competition, converting a penalty taken by his centre-forward Richarlison (2-0, 13th). An achievement that sees the PSG star become the third Brazilian player in history to score in three different World Cups after Pelé and Ronaldo. The company has worse.

Hero: Dominik Livakovic, stronghold of Croatia

If Croatia finds four years after the quarterfinals of the World Cup, it owes it to its goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. The 27-year-old Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper had a phenomenal shootout against Japan, making three saves after four attempts by the Japanese. An insane performance for which he was celebrated by all his partners, relieved to get out of the trap set by Samouraï Blue, which forced them to play 120 minutes after 1:1 in regular time. The only extension so far in this round of 16.

Four years ago, Croatia started their journey to the knockout final with a success in the round of 16 penalty shootout against Denmark. And again the score at the end of extra time was 1:1. Good omen or mere coincidence? Answer for the next game against Brazil.

Denial: FIFA dismisses FFF claim

No, nobody knows why. On Monday, FIFA announced in a lapidary statement that the French Football Federation’s appeal over Antoine Griezmann’s denial of a goal during the Blues’ 0-1 loss to Tunisia in pool has been dismissed. The appeal is rejected and no one knows why.

Recall that the FFF filed an appeal demanding that Antoine Griezmann’s equalizing goal canceled by Var be recognized. In question: Use of a whistle, contrary to the rules of video refereeing, by New Zealander Matthew Conger. The latter applied this technology after he started the game for the Tunisians, which is prohibited.

Image: Tribute to Pele

Selecao players paid tribute to the football legend who is currently hospitalized. Neymar and his partners unfurled a poster with Pele’s face and name on the lawn of the 974 stadium after the victory over South Korea. The three-time world champion posted a message on Twitter wishing them good luck before the start of the match.

Visit: Kylian Mbappe visits his friend Ashraf Hakimi

The Blues had a day off this Monday. And Kylian Mbappe the day after the performance against Poland (3-1) visited his friend Ashraf Hakimi in his spare time. The Blues striker went to the hotel where the Moroccans were staying in Qatar, where he found his teammate from PSG, with whom he is very close. The latter could also play in the quarter-finals if the Atlas Lions dominate Spain in the round of 16 on Tuesday. Moroccan media reported that Hakimi was accompanied by comedian Jamel Debbouz, who is close to the two men.