Croatia v Brazil: Samba boys look hard to stop

🇭🇷 Croatia's hero 🇭🇷

A hat-trick of penalty saves! 👏#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/8MKDVEFhWy

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 5, 2022

In the shoot-out that then followed, Dominik Livakovic kept out tame efforts from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida but Croatia will need a huge improvement if they are to trouble Brazil.

Looking at the Croatia v Brazil betting odds, the South Americans are 4/11 to win in 90 minutes but 11/10 to win to nil looks worth the extra risk.

Neymar return boosts Brazil

Brazil have barely put a full wrong at the World Cup when at full strength and the return of Neymar helped add to their creativity against South Korea.

He had feared his tournament was over when he sustained an ankle injury in their opening match but played 81 minutes on Monday.

“I did not feel any pain in my ankle,” he said. “I think my performance went very well and I’m very content, but that said I think we can always improve and that’s what I will try to do.”

With Richarlison among the Golden Boot contenders and the other attacking players all looking threatening, this could be another one-sided affair.

Croatia looked short of energy against Japan and while they have plenty of experience, many of their best players look past their best and Luka Modric has not had the same impact as he had in Russia four years ago when he won the Golden Ball.

They have failed to beat Brazil in four previous attempts, losing 1-0 and 3-1 at the World Cups in 2006 and 2014 respectively, and 17/4 for them to progress here holds little appeal.

Brazil to win and over 2.5 goals looks a solid pick in the Croatia v Brazil odds at 23/20 or for a bigger price, Coral have a #YourCall option of 9/2 for Brazil to win both halves, score at least three goals and keep a clean sheet.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication