Crazy fan theory emerges on why Neymar didn’t step up to take a penalty against Croatia in Brazil’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals loss
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Fans expressed their disappointment with Neymar after he failed to take the opportunity to help Brazil advance in the tournament. The team had been tipped to be in with a chance to win the World Cup, and Neymar was meant to be the one to lead them to victory. Instead, he was absent when it came time to take a penalty that could have changed the course of the game.
On Friday night, he appeared to have sealed Brazil’s spot in the semi-finals of the Qatar tournament by netting a stunning goal in extra time. His 77th goal for Brazil has earned him the same number of goals as the legendary Pele for the South American side. It seemed Brazil was going to prevail and make it to the semifinals when they scored late in the first period of extra time. But Croatia proved themselves to be experts with the extra thirty minutes and Bruno Petkovic evened the score with just three minutes remaining, sending the game to a penalty shootout.
Four players stood up to take the penalty; two missed the target. Neymar was supposed to take the last penalty, but he didn’t get the chance to do so. Disappointed fans took to Twitter to share their theories on why the Brazilian superstar didn’t take the penalty when the team was under pressure.
“I don’t understand the thinking behind putting better penalty-takers last, They *might* get the glory, but it’s either stupidity or supreme arrogance to think it’ll turn out like that. Make them go first and score. If, as some think, Neymar has insisted on that, zero sympathy,” A fans pointed out.
Some fans continued to acacouse Neymar of going for glory. “Your number one penalty taker should ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS step up for the first pen of a shootout. Always,” one poined out. “They (Neymar, Cristiano, Salah), reserve themselves for the fifth pen because it’s most likely to be the glory pen,” another one added.
Neymar’s efforts were not enough to propel Brazil to victory as Croatia triumphed in a penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals
Neymar’s significant strike was not enough to stop Croatia from eliminating Brazil from the World Cup in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes. Croatia advanced to the semi-finals to face Argentina after having already made it past the last 16 with a penalty shootout victory over Japan.
Neymar dazzled with a spectacular goal, seemingly guaranteeing Brazil’s entry into the semi-final. However, Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic spoiled the party, netting a left-footed equalizer three minutes before the end of extra time, leaving the Brazilian side devastated in Doha’s Education City Stadium.
Croats remained composed during the penalty shootout as Brazil’s Marquinhos and Rodrygo both missed their shots. Croatia refused to be cowed by the more experienced Brazilian side in the opening period and managed to effectively stop most of their attacks.
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Ujan Chakraborty
(1240 Articles Published)