WORLD CUP fans were left baffled after Neymar failed to take a penalty in Brazil’s shoot-out defeat to Croatia.
Brazil were dumped out of the World Cup after Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed from 12 yards.
Neymar scored a brilliant goal in extra-time before Bruno Petkovic equalised to set up a penalty shoot-out.
But Neymar was selected as Brazil’s fifth penalty taker and since the order could not be changed he did not even get the opportunity to to take one as Croatia won 4-2 on penalties.
That left fans puzzled with many questioning why Neymar was not the first man to step up.
One fan said: “I can’t get my head wrapped round why neymar didn’t take the first penalty.”
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Another added: “Neymar is a clown for not taking a penalty. How have you not learned from the past that the 5th penalty isn’t guaranteed? Take it and get it over with.”
And a third said: “You put your best first. Just cowardice from Neymar.”
Another commented: “Marquinhos taking a penalty before Neymar😂😂.”
Neymar perhaps wanted to claim the glory as being the man to score the key penalty to send Brazil through.
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Cristiano Ronaldo attempted the same in a Euro 2012 semi-final against Spain but he did not get the chance to step up after Portugal missed two penalties.
ITV pundit Jurgen Klinsmann was also shocked by Brazil’s tactics for the shoot-out and questioned why Neymar was the fifth taker.
He said said: “Managers have totally different approaches.
“Recently we have seen the best penalty takers take the first penalty.
“Set the tone. Don’t keep them for the fifth because you might not get the chance to take one.
“For me Neymar would have been the No1 penalty taker. Set the tone and calm everyone else down.
“The momentum was with Croatia after the equaliser. Then if you are a Brazilian suddenly you are scared.
“The whole nation is expecting you to go through to the semis and you start to panic.
“You are then far more nervous. You don’t get any time to calm down.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
