Brazil were the tournament favourites in Qatar and were expected to beat Croatia in Friday’s quarter-final at Education City stadium.
But despite wave after wave of attack, the underdogs held firm to take the game to extra time before Neymar scored a stunning, record-equalling goal to seemingly send the South Americans through to the semi-finals.
Centre-back Silva had had very little to do throughout the entire game, but in the dying minutes his team were caught out by a slick counter-attack, finished by Bruno Petkovic’s deflected strike, which ended up being Croatia’s only shot on target in the 120 minutes.
‘In football, we are subject to conceding a goal, regardless of the opponent on the other side,’ Silva said post-match.
‘Croatia is a quality team. Suddenly we could be a little better focused. We’re not used to taking that kind of counterattack. I think we messed up a bit.
‘In the second ball that we lost, we gave the counterattack, which was all they wanted at that moment, in addition to the aerial ball. And the goal didn’t even come from the top, it went through the ground.’
That took the match to penalties, which Croatia won 4-2 after Rodrygo and Silva’s former PSG teammate Marquinhos missed from the spot.
It was a shocking and rather humiliating loss for Brazil who were the heavy favourites to lift the trophy and end a 20-year wait for a World Cup.
It would have been the perfect end to captain Silva’s long international career, with the 38-year-old expected to hang up his (Brazil) boots very soon.
He seemed to suggest that this was indeed the case in his post-match interview, telling beIn Sports: ‘Sadly as a player, I am not going to get to lift this trophy.
‘Who knows if in the future I will get the chance in another role.
‘It’s difficult. But despite the sadness, life needs to move on. I’m very proud of the boys, of what we’ve done, but unfortunately it’s part of football.’
Silva made his international debut in 2008 and since won 112 caps for his country, and in Qatar he became the first player to captain Brazil at three World Cup finals.
He won the Copa America in 2019, adding to his huge trophy collection that includes nine league titles with AC Milan and PSG and the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.
MORE : Croatia beat Brazil on penalties to reach 2022 World Cup semi-finals
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