90min

Brazil predicted lineup vs Croatia - World Cup quarter-final

By Grey Whitebloom

Tite was in charge of Brazil when they lost to Belgium in the 2018 World Cup quarter-final
Tite was in charge of Brazil when they lost to Belgium in the 2018 World Cup quarter-final / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
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Brazil face Croatia on Friday afternoon in the nation's eighth consecutive men's World Cup quarter-final.

1990 was the last time Brazil failed to advance to the final eight. That year, Sebastiao Lazaroni only used 16 players. Tite is the only coach in Qatar to have used all 26 members of his squad, becoming the first Brazilian manager to ever give everyone a minute at a men's World Cup and just the sixth from any nation in the history of the competition.

Here's the starting XI Tite may select from his fully appreciated squad.

Brazil predicted lineup vs Croatia (4-3-3)

Brazil v South Korea: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Richarlison has scored more goals at the World Cup (three) than he has for Tottenham (two) / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

GK: Alisson - Liverpool's number one became just the second Brazilian goalkeeper to ever get subbed in a men's World Cup match, following Dida who made way for Rogerio Ceni in 2006.

RB: Eder Militao - In just one appearance against South Korea, Militao eclipsed the miserly tally of six minutes he was afforded across the entire knockout stage of the 2021 Copa America.

CB: Marquinhos - No player has covered more ground in Qatar for Brazil than the industrious centre-back (34.41km).

CB: Thiago Silva - Khaled Hosseini's favourite footballer was far more interested in kites growing up. “If I was having a kickaround with my friends and saw a kite up in the sky," Silva remembered, "I would leave the ball behind straight away, take my string and head over for the battle.”

LB: Danilo - Starting off as a goalkeeper in his youth, Danilo's versatility across the backline has made him a prized asset for Brazil and the glittering list of clubs he has represented.

CM: Lucas Paqueta - Brazil's match-winner in the quarter- and semi-finals of the 2021 Copa America opened his account in Qatar against South Korea.

CM: Casemiro - Brazil's most prolific tackler, blocker and interception-maker at this tournament plays a grubby but crucial role at the base of midfield.

CM: Neymar - Taking after Ronaldo and Pele, Neymar has become the third Brazilian player to score in three different editions of the men's World Cup.

RW: Raphinha - No player has had more shots on target without scoring a goal at this World Cup (six).

ST: Richarlison - 'O Pombo' - The Pigeon - hasn't only been teaching Tite his signature celebration, taking time after the round of 16 victory to show his compatriot Ronaldo how to mimic the world's oldest domesticated bird.

LW: Vinicius Junior - "I do think it’s going to be a very special World Cup for me," Vinicius predicted pre-tournament. So far, so good.

Harry Symeou hosts Scott Saunders, Sean Walsh, Ali Rampling and Brian Goldfarb to look back on the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil - join us!

If you can’t see the podcast embed, click here to download or listen to the episode in full!

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