World Cup 2022: Neymar goes from ecstatic to tears as Brazil bows out

• Neymar experienced the full range of emotions on Friday, December 9 against Croatia
• The Paris Saint Germain superstar gave Brazil the lead in extra time in the quarter final clash
• But Croatia found an equalizer to force the game into a penalty shootout
• The Samba Boys bowed out of the competition after losing 4-2 on penalties
• Images have since surfaced showing Neymar in uncontrollable tears after the defeat
• The last time Brazil won the World Cup was in 2002

Neymar experienced another World Cup heartbreak in the cruellest way possible as Brazil exited the global stage in the quarter-finals for the second time in a row.

Brazil were the tournament favourites at this stage of the competition, despite the presence of other heavyweights like England, France and Argentina.

After an engaging 90 minutes that ended goalless, Brazil eventually took a deserved lead as Neymar thumped home the first goal of the game in extra time.

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That goal sent Brazil and Neymar to cloud nine as It looked to be enough to send the Samba Boys to the last four of the competition.

However, Croatia, and in particular their substitute Bruno Petkovic, had other ideas.

With Croatia’s first shot on target, Petkovic found the equalizer in the 116th minute to send the game to a penalty shootout.

Neymar did not even get the chance to hit home a penalty as Brazil missed two of their first four kicks for Croatia to advance to the last four for the second time in a row.

Neymar inconsolable at full time

Once the game was done, cameras panned to Neymar, who could not hold back his tears after the realization that his World Cup dream was quashed for another four years.

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This is the third edition of the World Cup that Brazil are falling short with Neymar in the side, although in 2014, they bowed out with the superstar absent with injury.

One milestone Neymar hit with his goal was he matched Pele’s tally of 77 goals for the men’s national team.

But it will be little consolation for the 30-year old, whose golden Brazilian generation might have possibly blown their best chance at winning the World Cup.

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Sports Brief also reported on how fans were full of praise for Dominik Livakovic, who produced a goalkeeping masterclass for Croatia.

Livakovic literally carried the 2018 World Cup finalists to the quarterfinals after making three saves during penalty shootouts in their last 16 tie against Japan.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper proved pivotal once more as Croatia stunned Brazil to reach back-to-back World Cup semifinals.