A changing of the guard for Croatia?
The core of the Croatian team still features many of the players who caused a sensation by reaching the Final at Russia 2018. Yet youngsters like Josko Gvardiol have also dazzled for their country at this FIFA World Cup™ so far, while goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic drew plaudits for his trio of penalty saves against Japan in the Round of 16.
Neymar is back... but Richarlison is Brazil's star striker
After suffering an injury in the opening group match, Neymar missed Brazil's next two games and only returned to action for the Round of 16 encounter against Korea Republic. While he wasted no time in setting up A Seleção's early opener and added another goal himself from the penalty spot, his team-mate Richarlison netted his third strike of the tournament after a brace against Serbia to keep himself in the race for the Golden Boot.
Former midfield partners Casemiro and Modric go toe-to-toe
For years, Brazil's Casemiro and Croatia's Luka Modric formed the beating heart of Real Madrid's midfield. Having won a string of trophies together, including four UEFA Champions Leagues, it is safe to say that the pair know each other inside out. Brazil ran out 2-0 winners on the only previous time their two national sides met in a friendly in June 2018.
Has Juranovic done his homework?
Richarlison is not the only Brazilian in sensational form so far at Qatar 2022. A quick look at the statistics show that most of A Seleção's attacks have come down the left – where Vinicius Jr. plies his trade. Croatia need to be well aware of the threat he poses, with right-back Josip Juranovic set for a particularly eventful evening. The fact that he has played against Vinicius and Real Madrid twice for his club Celtic could prove helpful.
Only five players have scored in the last three editions of the World Cup...
... and two of them will face each other in this quarter-final match: Brazil's Neymar and Croatia's Ivan Perisic. Neymar converted a penalty against Korea Republic in the Round of 16, while Perisic netted a crucial equaliser at the same stage against Japan.