Why did Neymar not take a penalty vs Cro

Brazil were stunned Friday by Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals, becoming the Buffalo Bills Golf Sporting Goods latest giant to be slain by the pesky European side.Croatia, having made the 2018 final, are now back in the final four of the tournament just four years later thanks to a stunning penalty shootout win over the betting favorites.Croatia won the penalty shootout by making all four of their efforts, while Brazil mi sed a pair. Curiously, Neymar was not one of the penalty takers for Brazil, despite being the team's regular penalty taker during the course of play.The man who had given Brazil the lead in extra-time was left helple s as his teammates faltered from the spot and Croatia advanced. Instead, Brazil were dumped from a World Joe Ferguson Jersey Cup in the quarterfinal for the fourth time in the last five years.MORE: Brazil sent Rodrygo, Casemiro, Pedro, and Marquinhos to the penalty spot for the shootout against Croatia, but Neymar was not spotted among the takers.This is because Brazil coach Tite had left Neymar until the fifth spot, which is often the decisive effort. Having your best penalty taker in the five spot is a common strategy so as to have the most seasoned player in that very pre surized moment."He is the fifth and decisive penalty taker," the Tite said after the match."The player who has more quality and the mentality to step up then is under greatest pre sure."However, it risks exactly what happened here, as Brazil didn't even make it to that stage. Rodrygo's first effort was a poor one and saved by Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, while Marquinhos hit the left post in the mi s that ended the match. That meant Neymar was left on the sidelines, with Brazil's best penalty taker not even able to help his team.3 - Paris are the first team to see as many as three of their players fail to convert their penalty shootout attempts within a single World Cup edition (Sarabia, Soler with Spain Ryan Bates Jersey Marquinhos with Brazil). Mental. OptaJean (@OptaJean) After being unable to help his team in the penalty shootout, Neymar was inconsolable on the pitch. Images of Neymar in tears conjured thoughts of this being potentially his last World Cup action.At 30 years old, Neymar would be 34 by the time the next World Cup comes around. That's by no means old, but it would require a bit of longevity from the PSG attacker. Beset by injuries for Bruce Smith Jersey much of his career because of the beating he takes on the field, it would require careful planning and body management to see him at this level in four years' time.He previously has spoken about the mental toll this sport has taken on his body and mind. Neymar said last year that this would be his last.His career record at the tournament: 2014: Injured before semi-final exit. 2018: Quarter-final exit. 2022: Quarter-final exit. Sporting News Football Club (@sn_footballclub) Still, with Croatia's and Brazil' Stefon Diggs T Shirts s captains on either side of the pitch at 37 years old (Luka Modric) and 38 years old (Thiago Silva), respectively, it's feasible that this defeat fuels Neymar toward a push for a World Cup title in 2026.Neymar in tears after what could be his last World Cup game. He said before the tournament: "I think it's my last World Cup. I see it as my last because I don't know if I have the strength of mind to deal with football anymore." Really hope he's there again in 2026. Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen)