Croatia - Brazil: Ball of colors

*Croatia - Brazil: Friday, December 9 at 10pm, on MetaSports.

Croatia and Brazil are two of the few teams at the 2022 World Cup to wear jerseys that are distinctive and closely related to the countries they represent. The Brazilian outfit called canarinho, meaning little canary, was designed in 1950 by artist Fernando Mangabeira Pieruccetti, based on the four main colors on the country's flag. Before that, Brazil used white jerseys.

Change clothes change luck. Since putting on this uniform, Brazil has won the world championship five times and is the team that has won the most World Cup to date. Their captivating attacking play earned them praise and their yellow-green color became an inspiration for artists and fans alike to create. Every time Brazil plays, that color fills the stands, making TV viewers feel like they are lost in Carnival.

But in tonight's match, yellow and green will meet a counterweight that cannot be taken lightly. It is the red and white checkerboard pattern of Croatia. This is the motif in the national emblem of this country. Croatia started using the red and white checkered shirt since declaring independence in 1991 and quickly became known, especially after finishing third at the 1998 World Cup. Since then, wearing this color is the way to go. Best for the fans to chant "Croatia".

Not as colorful as the feathers of a bird like Brazil, the Croatian chess board is modeled on the shape of a shield. That is also the spirit of Croatia at the big tournaments. Although not appreciated, Croatia always fought bravely to the last minute. Statistics show that the last eight knockout matches in the two major tournaments, Croatia dragged the opponent to extra time seven times, except for the 2018 World Cup final when they lost to France 2-4. Of those seven games, four were in the World Cup and Croatia all progressed, with three winning on penalties.

Faced with such a tough opponent, the question is whether Brazil is inspired enough to dance like what they showed against Korea in the 1/8 round. Canarinho has gone into poetry, but his poems also sometimes bleed, like when Brazil lost 1-7 to Germany in the semi-final at home at the 2014 World Cup. With a lineup of skilled players like Luka Modric or Ivan. Perisic, Croatia may find a way to quell the excitement of young Brazilian players.

Captain Modric said: "We have improved mentally and mentally through extra time and penalty kicks. Our last match in the round of 16 is a proof that Croatia can return. We are prepared for every scenario Croatia is not satisfied with reaching the quarterfinals We know Brazil is very strong but Croatia also has its own weapons and is full of confidence in itself.

Coach Zlatko Dalic considers the match against Brazil as difficult as against France in the final four years ago, but insists Croatia's position has changed after being runner-up in the World Cup and their ambitions are now much bigger than those of reaching the quarterfinals.

The match will see the reunion between the players on the Real Madrid payroll. On the Croatia side is captain Modric and Brazil is a young striker pair Vinicius - Rodrygo. Casemiro will surely face many emotions when meeting his old teammate Modric. Together, they created a midfield that once claimed Europe's dominance. Before the match, Vinicius gave good words to Modric. In response, the Croatian captain thanked him, not forgetting to say that he had given his teammates some advice to stop the Brazilian attacking star.

Croatia waits for the Borna Sosa and Josip Stanisic duo to return after missing the match against Japan respectively due to flu and muscle pain. The hope in the defense of the European team Josko Gvardiol is ready to stop rival strikers. On the Brazilian side, coach Tite confirmed that left-back Alex Sandro could not return, so it is likely that Danilo will replace this position and Eder Militao will play at right-back.

Brazil have never lost to Croatia in the previous four encounters (three wins, one draw). The last time, they won 2-0 in a friendly match in June 2018. However, since beating Germany in the 2002 World Cup final, Brazil has lost five World Cup knockout matches against European teams, including three in the quarterfinals, to France in 2006, the Netherlands in 2010 and Belgium. 2018.

Croatia have lost four of their five encounters with South American teams in the World Cup. Their only win in the 2018 World Cup, beating Argentina 3-0. Two of four defeats against Brazil, 0-1 in 2006 and 1-3 in 2014 (both in the group stage).