My boy loves Brazil *and* Argentina so even that's the semi, if we lose, I'll be happy for him (and for Messi). Aside: the kid is football-obsessed and has gotten quite good. We did AYSO last season, and I may put him in a club. He plays as a volante de armação. He wanted to be a 10 or false 9 but he can defend and he drifted into a deeper role on his own because that's what the team needed.
Fred and Bruno Guimarães already warming up; Richarlison has been grabbing his leg. Apparently so is Pedro. More injuries? And this early?
Nice. This means that once this World Cup ends, by the time you make your next quadriennial appearance in 2026, he may be a top-rated varsity player at the junior high school or high school level.
The midfield needs improvement. If this persists until halftime, assuming Croatia doesn't score first, Tite will alter the team.
What Croatia does when it doesn't attack is what some Brazilian sports writers warned about: they are "cozinhando o jogo." This slows and frustrates the rhythm that Brazil can impose.
Neymar is nowhere near fit. Tite may have to sub him. Casemiro having his worst game of the tournament too.
Halftime. Certainly one of the more lackluster halves Brazil has played in this tournament. I see Tite making changes in the second half.
This first half went by so fast! I can't believe it's already halftime. Brazil very feeble. We need changes for the second half. On the other hand, Brazil have been playing better in the last 30 minutes of games (except for the South Korea game).
Attack is non existent, not being able to stretch the game, really tight defending from Croatia. Half time changes needed.
Brazil very flat, looking like the team that played for 120 minutes in the round of 16, while that's Croatia. This is not looking good. ----------- I need to jinx it more. We almost scored.