Thiago Silva concedes Brazil 'messed up' in World Cup exit
By Tom Gott
Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva has admitted that Brazil panicked in the face of pressure from Croatia as they fell to defeat in the World Cup quarter-final.
The Selecao were among the pre-tournament favourites but struggled against Croatia's iconic midfield and, after a 1-1 draw across 120 minutes, slumped to a shock loss in a penalty shoot-out.
Brazil thought they had won it thanks to Neymar's glorious effort late in extra time, but Bruno Petkovic fired back with Croatia's first shot on target with just a few minutes to go to flip the game on its head.
"In football, we are subject to conceding a goal, regardless of the opponent on the other side," Silva reflected after the game. "Croatia is a quality team. Suddenly we could be a little better focused. We're not used to taking that kind of counterattack. I think we messed up a bit.
"In the second ball that we lost, we gave the counter attack, which was all they wanted at that moment, in addition to the aerial ball. And the goal didn't even come from the top, it went through the ground. It's difficult. But despite the sadness, life needs to move on. I'm very proud of the boys, of what we've done, but unfortunately it's part of football."
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For 38-year-old Silva, the chance to lift the World Cup trophy appears to have gone for good.
"Sadly as a player, I am not going to get to lift this trophy," he told beIN Sports. "Who knows if in the future I will get the chance in another role."
Silva has racked up 113 caps for his country since his debut in 2008. The iconic centre-back has played at four World Cups but has had to settle for glory in the Copa America and Confederations Cup instead.