Jubilant Argentina fans celebrate wildly after watching bitter rivals Brazil crash out of the World Cup on penalties to Croatia… with supporters now sensing the opportunity for their team to go all the way in Qatar ahead of their clash with Holland
Argentina fans thoroughly enjoyed Brazil’s shock exit from the World Cup as they celebrated wildly after watching their rivals lose to Croatia on penalties.
Having eased past South Korea in the last-16, Brazil had been expected to move into the semi-finals.
However, Neymar‘s extra time strike was cancelled out by Bruno Petkovic, and Croatia then held their nerve in the penalty shootout, scoring all four of their spot-kicks to secure a 4-2 victory.
Argentina fans celebrated wildly after Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup by Croatia
Neymar was left in tears after his side’s elimination and had to be comforted by team-mates
Argentina supporters were watching the penalties in the Lusail Stadium ahead of their own quarter-final against the Netherlands, and when Marquinhos’s penalty came back off the post they could not contain their excitement, with fans jumping up and down waving scarves above their heads.
BBC presenter Gary Lineker sent out a tongue-in-cheek tweet after watching the celebrations, writing: ‘Think Argentina’s fans enjoyed Brazil’s loss’.
The reaction from the Argentina fans was in stark contrast to that of the Brazil players, with Neymar left in tears after his side were knocked out.
Brazil and Argentina are the two most successful South American nations, having won seven World Cups between them, and a mouthwatering clash between the pair looked to be on the cards if they had both won their matches on Friday.
Argentina will face Croatia in the semi-finals if they beat Holland on Friday night
Lionel Messi and co may now fancy their chances of going all the way in Qatar after Brazil’s exit
Brazil’s defeat means the two teams will not play each other now, and they have not faced each other at football’s biggest tournament in the 21st century.
As well as being happy that Brazil are out, Argentina fans may also have been pleased that their route to the final has arguably opened up.
Should they get past the Netherlands on Friday, they will then go up against a Croatia side who have gone to penalties in both of their last two matches.
Therefore, Argentina may fancy their chances of having more left in the tank to get past Croatia and into the final.
Argentina have been one of the best supported countries at this year’s tournament, with fans flocking to Qatar to watch Lionel Messi in action at his last World Cup.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has delivered thus far, scoring three times in four matches, and some more magic on Friday night could move his side one step closer to being crowned world champions for the third time.
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