Who will Brazil play against in the World Cup 2022 quarter-finals?

Brazil are through to the last eight in Qatar after seeing off South Korea in a one-side last-16 clash on Monday.

After blowing South Korea away in the last 16 on Monday, five-time champions Brazil will now face Croatia in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

Brazil batter sorry South Korea

The Brazilians were 4-1 winners at Stadium 974, scoring all four of their goals in a 29-minute first-half blitz. Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring with a cool close-range finish in the seventh minute, before Neymar’s penalty doubled the Seleçao’s advantage with less than a quarter of an hour on the clock. Richarlison then stroked home after a sublime passage of build-up play, before Lucas Paquetà volleyed in a fourth with the break still 10 minutes away. Paik Seung-ho replied for South Korea in the second half.

Such was Brazil’s dominance that they could even afford to bring on third-choice goalkeeper Weverton in the closing stages - a change that means head coach Tite has now used all 26 members of his World Cup squad.

Croatia prevail on penalties again

Earlier on Monday, 2018 runners-up Croatia progressed to the last eight in considerably less straightforward fashion, edging out Japan on penalties. Zlatko Dalic’s men went behind to a Daizen Maeda goal shortly before half time, but Ivan Perisic’s header levelled the scores soon after the break, and keeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero for the Croats when the tie went to spot-kicks. He saved three of Japan’s four efforts from 12 yards as Croatia won the shootout 3-1 - the third time in five World Cup knockout ties that the country has advanced on penalties.

Croatia vs Brazil: when and where?

Croatia and Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final will take place at Education City Stadium on Friday 9 December 2022, with kick-off scheduled for 10am ET/7am PT. The winner of the tie will set up a semi-final against either the Netherlands or Argentina; the Oranje and the Albiceleste meet at Lusail Stadium at 2pm ET on Friday.

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Croatia vs Brazil: previous meetings

Friday’s clash will be the third time that Croatia and Brazil have played each other at a World Cup. The teams met in the group stage at Germany 2006 - Brazil winning 1-0 thanks to a fine Kaká strike - before again being drawn together in the round-robin phase when the Brazilians hosted the finals eight years later.

In the opening game of the 2014 tournament, the South Americans again beat the Croats, but had to recover from the concession of an early Marcelo own goal. Neymar equalised for the Verde-Amarela, before putting his side in front with a 71st-minute penalty. Oscar then sealed a 3-1 victory in time added on.

The teams’ most recent meeting of any kind was a friendly at Anfield, Liverpool, in June 2018. Brazil won that game, too, goals by Neymar and Roberto Firmino securing a 2-0 triumph.

Video: Brazil fans believe