Modric vs. Neymar, duel 'of 10' for the move to the semifinals

Luka Modric and Neymar, stars of the Croatian and Brazilian teams respectively. (Image: FIFA)

Two very talented ’10’, Luka Modric and Neymar, will try to guide their teams to the semifinals of the Qatar-2022 World Cup in a duel that promises to spark sparks: Croatia vs. Brazil, this Friday at the Education City stadium (12:00) in Doha.

‘Ney’ will seek to play his first World Cup ‘semi’ -in the terrifying 1-7 against Germany in 2014 he was injured-, while Modric intends to overcome the unprecedented runner-up reached in Russia-2018.

The ‘Seleção’ arrives with an inflated shirt after knocking out South Korea (4-1) in the round of 16, although they still have not fully recovered their starting lineup.

The Lefty Tip Marker Alex Sandro he would not be a starter because he did not completely overcome a muscle ailment in his hip, said coach Tite. The defender has not played since the victory against Switzerland (1-0), in the second outing of the group stage.

In that way, Danilo He will continue on the left wing and the central Eder Militaoon the right, as before the Koreans.

The winner of the match will collide for a place in the final with the winner between Argentina Y Netherlandswho meet in the second round (16:00) at the Lusail stadium.

– On the hunt for Pelé –

Recovered from the sprained right ankle that made him lose the last two games of the group stage, neymar He will lead the Brazilian offense, which was shaken against the Asians after a low-scoring start.

The 30-year-old PSG star has a double objective against the Balkans: to keep alive the dream of the six-time championship and match Pele (77 goals) as the ‘Canarinha’ top scorer.

Neymar is a bit down after scoring the second goal against the Asians from a penalty, just at a time when ‘O rei’, 82, is hospitalized in Sao Paulo for a reassessment of his cancer treatment. colon.

With barely a goal to his credit, the ’10’ will once again have the help of one of the most prominent men in Brazil: Vinicius Jr.author of a score and two assists in his first World Cup.

The extreme knows Modric wellhis partner in real Madridand warns that the Europeans are much more than their captain.

– To embitter the dream of the ‘hexa’ –

Brazil will not settle for anything less than the title in Qatar. But several shadows have accompanied the five-time champions since they won their last star in 2002.

In addition to the historic humiliation at home against Germany eight years ago in their last semifinal, in Brazil the question of How will the team behave against a heavyweight European team?.

From Russia they do not face any, and the memory is not the best: 2-1 loss to Belgium In rooms.

Now they will meet a Croatia that eliminated the surprising Japan on penalties in the round of 16 and that warns to display their technical game, but also to impose their physique.

At 37, the captain will command the midfield alongside matthew kovacic Y Marcelo Brozóvic hoping to deliver a new blow in the desert.