'Wow! Just wow!': Gary Lineker leads shocked pundits and fans reacting to Brazil's surprise World Cup loss to Croatia on penalties... as Piers Morgan labels it 'the day the dancing died' and Alex Scott hails the 'World Cup that keeps throwing up surprises'

Gary Lineker and Louis Theroux are among those sharing their shock at Brazil's elimination from the 2022 World Cup after penalty shootout drama against Croatia.

The 2018 finalists looked to be heading home after Neymar's extra time goal, only for Bruno Petkovic to score for Croatia in the 116th minute to take the game to penalties. 

Brazil's fate was sealed with a poor penalty shootout which saw Rodrygo's opening penalty denied, and then finished when Marquinhos hit a crucial spot kick against the post which would have kept the South American favourites in the game.

Marquinhos was left devastated to see his vital spot kick hit the post, eliminating Brazil

Marquinhos was left devastated to see his vital spot kick hit the post, eliminating Brazil

BBC presenter Lineker tweeted: 'Wow! Just wow! Brazil are out. Croatia are so, so tough.'


The European side converted all four of their penalties to set up a second consecutive World Cup semi-final, this time against Argentina.

Gary Lineker and Louis Theroux were among those stunned by Brazil's elimination on Friday

Gary Lineker and Louis Theroux were among those stunned by Brazil's elimination on Friday

Others held the view shared by many that Brazil's elimination from the 2022 edition was the continuation of a trend of shock results happening in Qatar. 

Presenter and interviewer Theroux said: 'WHAT JUST HAPPENED???', while Piers Morgan just tweeted 'OMG!!!' 

Piers Morgan referenced Brazil's dancing as they found themselves quickstepping to the exit

Piers Morgan referenced Brazil's dancing as they found themselves quickstepping to the exit

Morgan also added 'The day the dancing died', in reference to their wild celebrations as they blew South Korea away in their round-of-16 game on Monday

While Saudi Arabia's group stage win over Argentina and Japan's early win over Germany were considered upsets, for some, it will be nothing compared to Brazil's quarter-final exit at the hands of Luka Modric's side.

Manager Tite and Tottenham player Richarlison were among those devastated after the game

Manager Tite and Tottenham player Richarlison were among those devastated after the game

Speaking after, Alex Scott told the BBC: 'This is a World Cup that keeps throwing up surprises'

Speaking after, Alex Scott told the BBC: 'This is a World Cup that keeps throwing up surprises'

On the BBC post-match, pundit Alex Scott added to this discourse. She said: 'It is absolutely incredible, the experience of this team with Modric, surrounded by all the other players. It is a complete team effort. They can handle the pressure. 

'Brazil were my favourites, they were many people’s favourites. This is a World Cup that keeps throwing up surprises.' 

A couple of days before the showcase match with Croatia, a Brazil press officer caused a stir by removing a cat who was sitting on the bench at their media conference.  

American sports writer Andrew Schnittker said on Twitter: 'Brazil deserved to lose for this. The cat gets justice', whilst sharing a clip of the incident. 

American writer Andrew Schnittker said 'Brazil deserved to lose' after the media cat incident

American writer Andrew Schnittker said 'Brazil deserved to lose' after the media cat incident