Neymar is struggling to accept he has become yesterday's man at the Qatar World Cup, saying Brazil's exit has left him "psychologically destroyed".

Defeat on penalties to Croatia on Friday meant Brazil's campaign was over, with the pre-tournament favourites falling to the shock finalists from four years ago.

This may have been Neymar's final World Cup, and he was reluctant to commit to playing on for his country in the immediate aftermath of the game.

His dazzling goal gave Brazil the lead in extra time, but a late equaliser from Bruno Petkovic took the quarter-final to spot-kicks, and it was Zlatko Dalic's side who got the better of Tite's men.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Neymar wrote: "I'm psychologically destroyed. This was certainly the defeat that hurt me the most, which made me paralysed for 10 minutes and right after I fell into non-stop crying. It's gonna hurt for a loooong time, unfortunately."

Neymar's strike meant the Paris Saint-Germain forward equalled Pele's record of 77 goals for Brazil, but that was no consolation. He came to win a World Cup and may now never get his hands on that trophy.

"We fought until the end," Neymar added. "That's what I'm proud of my team-mates for, because there was no lack of commitment and dedication. This group deserved it, we deserved it, BRAZIL deserved it... But this was not the will of GOD!

"Thank you all for your support with our national team. Unfortunately it didn't work out."

Pele sent Neymar an impassioned and long message after the game, with the Brazil great attempting to rally the current generation while he is in hospital.

The 82-year-old again reacted on Saturday to Neymar's latest message, telling him: "Continue to be an inspiration."

Brazil have not reached a World Cup final since their 2002 triumph gave the Selecao a record fifth title.

Neymar's former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez also offered his support.

Suarez, who went out with Uruguay at the group stage, told Neymar: "Much strength bro and onwards and upwards. Many times we fall, but we always have the strength to move forward because we fight a lot to succeed in this beautiful sport. Stay strong little brother."

Morocco became the first African team ever to reach a World Cup semi-final as the Atlas Lions continued their fairytale run in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.

Walid Regragui's side saw off Spain on penalties in the last 16, but this was even more impressive and notable as Morocco ensured they will go where no other African nation has ventured before.

Youssef En-Nesyri had the honour of scoring what will go down as one of the most important goals in the history of African football as he powered in a header just before the break.

Portugal piled pressure on for much of the second half, introducing the again-benched Cristiano Ronaldo, but their efforts fell short much to the delight of the Morocco-dominated crowd.

Fernando Santos' side unsurprisingly enjoyed early control, but clear opportunities were non-existent.

Encouraged, Morocco looked dangerous on the break and the contest livened up after the half-hour mark – Selim Amallah blazed over from Romain Saiss' cut-back and the lively Sofiane Boufal shot at Diogo Costa from 25 yards.

As such, the Atlas Lions were good value for the lead when En-Nesyri towered above Costa to head in Yahya Attiat-Allah's cross after 42 minutes.

Portugal looked for a response.

Bruno Fernandes' dipping right-wing volley struck the crossbar, and he was subsequently denied a penalty after claiming to be tugged back in the box.

Ronaldo's introduction – just before Azzedine Ounahi wasted a decent chance – effectively ushered in complete Portugal control.

But Portugal created precious little until crucial late Yassine Bounou saves from Joao Felix and Ronaldo, as Morocco valiantly held on for another momentous result despite substitute Walid Cheddira's stoppage-time dismissal for a second booking.

Argentina and the Netherlands are being investigated by FIFA following Friday's fiery World Cup quarter-final.

South American champions Argentina prevailed 4-3 on penalties at Lusail Stadium, having earlier squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 as the game went the distance.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issued 15 cards to players who played a part in the game – the most in World Cup history, overtaking Cameroon versus Germany in 2002 (14).

Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries was also shown a red card after the match.

There was a big flashpoint in the 89th minute when Leandro Paredes committed a foul on Nathan Ake and then booted the ball into the Netherlands' dugout.

Both sets of players and coaching staff squared off, though tensions again threatened to boil over in extra-time and also in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.

FIFA announced in a statement on Saturday that proceedings have been opened against the Argentinian Football Association and the Dutch Football Association.

The charge relates to a possible breach of article 12 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code – the misconduct of players and officials.

Lionel Scaloni's side are also being investigated over an additional potential breach of article 16, which relates to order and security at matches.

Argentina have won the most penalty shoot-outs of any side in World Cup history (five out of six), while only Spain have lost more than the Netherlands (one win from four).

Speaking after the game, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi criticised Spanish official Lahoz over his handling of the contest.

"I don't want to talk about the referee, because you can get a suspension, but people saw what happened," he said. 

"FIFA have to look at that, they can't put in a referee who isn't up to the job at this stage."

Defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna were among the players booked and will now serve a suspension in Tuesday's semi-final against Brazil's conquerors Croatia.

Gabriel Batistuta hopes Lionel Messi can overtake him and become Argentina's record World Cup goalscorer in La Albiceleste's semi-final with Croatia.

Lionel Scaloni's side secured Argentina's fourth last-four appearance since 1986 – a tally only bettered by Germany (six) during that time – after defeating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw on Friday.

Argentina have won more shoot-outs than any other side in World Cup history (five), with their sole defeat coming against Germany in the 2006 quarter-finals.

Messi was on target from the spot during normal time with his 10th goal at the finals, equalling Batistuta's long-standing record for their national team.

Former Fiorentina and Roma striker Batistuta, who remains the only player to score a hat-trick in two different World Cups (1994 and 1998), saluted his compatriot and hopes Messi can add more goals to his tally.

"Dear Leo, congratulations!" Batistuta posted on Instagram. "I had the record for 20 years and enjoyed it. Now it's a great honour and pleasure to share it with you and I hope wholeheartedly that you can overtake it in the next match."

Argentina face Croatia at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday in what will be the third World Cup meeting between the nations. Argentina won 1-0 in the 1998 group phase, while Croatia prevailed 3-0 at the same stage in Russia four years ago.

Wout Weghorst expressed dismay at being snubbed by Lionel Messi after the Netherlands striker was given the brush-off following Friday's chaotic quarter-final.

The Dutch frontman made a stunning impact as a substitute, scoring a late double to force a 2-2 draw and take the match to extra time.

He almost overshadowed Messi, whose penalty had put Argentina two goals clear, and afterwards it emerged Weghorst and Messi clashed following the Copa America champions' victory on penalties.

Prior to a post-match TV interview with TyC Sports, Messi said to somebody out of camera shot: "What are you looking at, fool?"

That bystander has been identified by the broadcaster as having been Weghorst.

The Netherlands are going home after being unable to cap their thrilling fightback, and Weghorst was taken aback by Messi's attitude when he caught up with him.

"I wanted to shake his hand after the game, I have a lot of respect for him as a soccer player," Weghorst said, "but he threw my hand to the side and didn't want to talk to me."

Quoted by Marca, Weghorst added: "My Spanish isn't very good, but he said disrespectful words to me and that disappoints me, really disappointing."

Weghorst became the first substitute to score twice in a World Cup match for the Netherlands.

The game saw 15 cards shown to players that played an active part, which set a new record for the most in World Cup history. Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries was sent off after the shoot-out, with tensions spilling over.

Brazil legend Pele has paid tribute to Richarlison, telling the forward to "never change" after the Selecao were knocked out of the World Cup.

Pre-tournament favourites Brazil crashed out of the tournament in Qatar when they were beaten by Croatia at the quarter-final stage on Friday.

Tite's side had hoped to earn their sixth World Cup title before they suffered heartbreak, prompting Richarlison to post an apology to fans on social media.

But Pele - who has been hospitalised amid the tournament back home in Sao Paulo - has offered his encouragement to the 25-year-old, crediting him for his resolve.

"Just keep on keeping on kid," he wrote underneath the former Everton man's Instagram post. "And never change. You made Brazil smile."

Richarlison - who departed the tournament with three goals to his name, including a sensational overhead kick against Serbia in the group stage - emotionally reflected on a missed opportunity.

"Writing this is definitely the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," he penned. "This is a wound that will stay open forever, because we all know the chances we had to get that title.

"My friends and I are going to have to live with it. Some (or many) won't even get another chance. Now it's time to lick our wounds, apologise to all of you and get our head straight."

Brazil's exit represents their fifth successive shortfall in the World Cup, with the Selecao having only reached the semi-finals once since they last won the tournament in 2002.

Croatia will play Argentina next week in the first semi-final, with the 2018 runners-up looking to make feature in back-to-back finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo was named on Portugal's bench again as Fernando Santos stuck with Goncalo Ramos for the World Cup quarter-final against Morocco.

Ronaldo was dropped to the bench for Portugal's last-16 tie with Switzerland on Tuesday, and Santos' decision was rewarded as his side cruised to a 6-1 victory.

Benfica striker Ramos, Ronaldo's replacement in the starting XI, repaid his coach's faith by scoring a hat-trick and getting an assist, and he retained his place in the team on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium.

Santos made just one change to the team that beat Switzerland, bringing in Ruben Neves for William Carvalho in midfield.

That meant Manchester City's Joao Cancelo also remained on the bench, with Diogo Dalot preferred at right-back and Raphael Guerreiro keeping his place on the left.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui was forced into two changes, with key defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd unavailable. Yahia Attiyat Allah and Jawad El Yamiq came in for the duo.

The Atlas Lions are appearing in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, while they are just the fourth African side to reach the last eight in the tournament's history.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic insists his team will have no reason to "fear" Lionel Messi in the World Cup semi-finals if they repeat the defensive approach that limited Neymar's influence against Brazil.

A 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over the Selecao on Friday following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Education City Stadium secured Croatia successive World Cup semi-final appearances.

Neymar did give Brazil the lead in the first half of extra time at the end of a brilliant move, before Bruno Petkovic's deflected strike took the game to penalties.

But Brazil's talisman otherwise struggled to penetrate the Croatian defence.

Occupying a slightly more central position inside Vinicius Junior on the left, the two players managed just one key pass and five completed dribbles out of 14 between them as Mario Pasalic, Josip Juranovic and Luka Modric worked tirelessly to pressure them.

Life will not get much easier for Croatia in their next game as they face Messi and Argentina, though Dalic is confident in their ability to keep him quiet.

"We need to guard against Messi, but not in a player-on-player style, as we didn't [do that] in our last meeting," he said.

"We know how much he runs, how much he likes to play with the ball at his feet and the key to our defensive phase will be discipline.

"If we repeat the same thing as against Brazil, which is that we are close [to him], that we stand by the player, we have nothing to fear."

Dalic was keen to stress Messi cannot be their sole focus.

However, he believes Croatia should be able to take encouragement from Argentina's struggles against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

The Albiceleste were 2-0 up against the Oranje before being pegged back by Wout Weghorst's brace, forcing extra time and subsequent penalties.

Argentina came through the shoot-out successfully, though in Dalic's mind they clearly are not bulletproof.

"We will make a detailed analysis of [Argentina] because we have not been so focused on them so far," he said.

"Messi is still their main player, who plays great and carries this national team. They also have some young, talented players and they look very dangerous.

"However, they showed they are vulnerable because they led 2-0 against the Netherlands, and in the end they barely reached penalties at 2-2.

"It's up to us to give our best and go into the game one hundred percent focused."

Lionel Messi was motivated to lead Argentina past the Netherlands due to feeling "a little attacked" by Louis van Gaal's pre-match comments, Lionel Scaloni said.

Messi is enjoying an outstanding World Cup and continued in that vein on Friday as he scored one and created another in a 2-2 quarter-final draw with the Netherlands.

Argentina advanced after a penalty shoot-out, recovering after Wout Weghorst's dramatic double had denied them victory in normal time.

There had predictably been plenty of focus on Messi heading into the match, with Netherlands coach Van Gaal suggesting Argentina were relying too heavily on their captain in attack while he would not be asked to defend.

Messi appeared to gesture in Van Gaal's direction on multiple occasions, including after scoring, cupping his ears in an apparent reference to Juan Roman Riquelme's own celebration.

Van Gaal and Riquelme were at odds during their time together at Messi's former club Barcelona.

"I'm not going to give Van Gaal advice, but it's not easy to make [Messi] play angry," Argentina coach Scaloni told TyC Sports.

"I don't know if he was angry, but to make him play the way he played today... it's exciting.

"These are things that happen on the pitch and stay there. But we didn't play with one less when we didn't have the ball, we played with 11.

"I think with Leo he felt a little attacked and showed that he is the best of all time. We are happy to have him."

After a last-16 win over Australia, in which Messi was similarly influential, team-mate Alexis Mac Allister had explained how the legendary forward was inspired to perform.

Messi was involved in a confrontation with Australia's Aziz Behich moments before scoring his first World Cup knockout goal.

"Leo, when these things happen, he brings out that inner fire that he has, that personality that makes him even bigger than he is," Mac Allister told reporters.

Jordan Pickford has been practising penalties ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against France and is more than willing to step up and take one if required.

The 28-year-old has been in inspired form for England across their four games in Qatar so far, keeping three clean sheets in a row and conceding just twice all tournament.

After finishing top of Group B and overcoming Senegal 3-0 in the last 16, the Three Lions now face a mouthwatering showdown with France at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.

Friday's two quarter-finals went to penalties, with Croatia eliminating Brazil and Argentina defeating the Netherlands, and Pickford is prepared for England's tie to go the distance.

"You have to be ready for anything. You can't not practise them, you can't just go in and think 'I'll be alright'," Pickford said.

"I have to be prepared to take one and be prepared to save one. 

"If it comes down to it I'll step up and take one, but it's not my call. It's the manager's call and the backroom staff."

England have a chequered history when it comes to penalty shoot-outs, though Pickford has won two out of three during his time as the Three Lions' number one.

The Everton keeper saved two of the five penalties he faced in last year's Euro 2020 final against Italy, though it was not enough to prevent England falling to a 3-2 shoot-out loss.

"For me, penalty shoot-outs, I've got my same process which I do all the time," Pickford added. "In each individual penalty I'm facing, I will do the same thing. 

"I don't change my process and hopefully I go the right way and execute the save. You can do research but it's about executing your process, your dive on the night.

"They've got their process as a penalty taker, and as a goalkeeper I've got my process. It's whoever comes out on top on that individual penalty."

England have been eliminated from six of their past eight World Cup knockout matches against fellow European nations. 

By contrast, France have progressed from eight of their past 10 World Cup knockout matches against European opposition, including third-place play-offs and finals.

Manuel Neuer will miss the rest of the season for Bayern Munich after suffering a broken leg while on holiday.

The Bayern and Germany goalkeeper sustained a lower leg fracture while skiing on holiday after his national team were knocked out of the World Cup in Qatar at the group stage.

Neuer revealed he had undergone surgery on Friday, updating supporters in a post on social media, while confirming he will be absent for the rest of the campaign.

The injury will come as a big blow to Bayern, who are through to the Champions League knockout stages and lead the Bundesliga standings.

In a post on his Instagram feed on Saturday, Neuer said: "What can I say, the end of the year could have definitely gone better.

"While I was trying to get my head clear while ski touring, I suffered a lower leg fracture.

"Yesterday's surgery went well. Many thanks to the doctors!

"However, it hurts to know that the current season is over for me."

Neuer has kept four clean sheets in 12 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern this season, helping them to a four-point advantage at the top of the table heading into the World Cup break.

The 36-year-old also played three times in the Champions League as the German giants won all six of their group matches, setting up a clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

Bayern are due to return to competitive action on January 20, when they will travel to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

Sven Ulreich will likely be the man between the sticks for that match, having deputised three times for Neuer in the Champions League while also making three league appearances.

Neymar condemned his former agent Wagner Ribeiro for claiming Brazil boss Tite was never fit for office and "spent years deceiving the people".

The criticism followed Brazil's World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Croatia, who stunned the Selecao in a penalty shoot-out on Friday after a 1-1 draw.

Defeat marked the end of Tite's six-and-a-half-year tenure as Brazil head coach, with the 61-year-old confirming his "cycle is over" following the game.

Ribeiro posted a picture of Tite on Instagram, and wrote: "This man was never a football coach. He spent years deceiving the people, losing 2 cups.

"He's only fit to be the valedictorian of the graduating class."

That prompted an angered response from Neymar, who snapped back: "Don't talk s*** Wagner!"

Tite always planned to step down after the World Cup, regardless of how Brazil got on in Qatar. He announced that intention in February, and Brazil proved unable to live up to their billing as trophy favourites.

Neymar scored a sublime goal in extra time against Croatia to give Brazil the lead, only for Bruno Petkovic's deflected shot to pull the 2018 World Cup runners-up level.

Tite was a serial trophy winner at club level with the likes of Internacional and Corinthians, and he led Brazil to the Copa America title in 2019, although they relinquished their hold on that trophy last year when losing to Argentina in the final.

Manuel Neuer will miss the rest of the season for Bayern Munich after suffering a broken leg while on holiday.

Lionel Messi accused Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal of showing "disrespect" before Argentina ended the Netherlands' World Cup hopes in Friday's dramatic quarter-final.

Van Gaal, remembering the 2014 semi-final between the teams, said ahead of Friday's game: "Eight years ago at the World Cup in Brazil, we succeeded well in neutralising Messi. He didn't hit a ball then."

That comment may have been one of the issues that upset Messi, while Argentina were also fired up by suggestions the Netherlands fancied themselves if the game came down to a penalty shoot-out.

The 2014 match finished goalless, with Argentina triumphing on penalties before losing to Germany in the final, but this time the Netherlands supposedly liked their chances on spot-kicks.

As it happened, a roller coaster game at Lusail Stadium did come down to a shoot-out, and Argentina won through once again to book a semi-final against Croatia.

Messi was rankled by the Dutch approach in the game, which saw Argentina's 2-0 lead reeled in after the Netherlands bombarded the Albiceleste penalty area with high balls in the closing stages.

Quoted by ESPN, Messi said: "I feel disrespected by Van Gaal after his pre-game comments and some Dutch players spoke too much during the game.

"Van Gaal sells that he plays good football and then he puts forwards in the box and starts throwing long balls. We deserved to go through and that's what happened."

Reports have also claimed that when Messi approached Van Gaal and Dutch assistant coach Edgar Davids after the game, he was complaining the Netherlands boss had too much to say, and his hand gesturing suggested as much.

Van Gaal's direct intentions were made clear when he brought on Wout Weghorst for Memphis Depay in the 78th minute, and the 6ft 5in striker made a major impact against the Argentina defence.

He headed in to cut the deficit, then scored from a sublimely worked free-kick that deceived Argentina, with his equaliser in normal time coming after 100 minutes and 30 seconds, the latest World Cup knockout stage goal on record, since Opta has exact goal times (from 1966).

Weghorst became the first substitute to score twice in a World Cup match for the Netherlands, and he apparently departed with another souvenir: a tongue-lashing from Messi.

"What are you looking at, fool?" Messi said to somebody off-camera before a TV interview with TyC Sports. That bystander has been identified by the Argentina broadcaster as having been Weghorst.

Pele congratulated Neymar on matching his long-standing goalscoring record for Brazil and urged the forward "to keep inspiring us" amid questions over his international future.

Neymar scored his 77th senior goal for Brazil midway through extra time to open the scoring in Friday's World Cup quarter-final with Croatia at Education City Stadium.

However, Bruno Petkovic equalised in the 117th minute and Croatia stunned Brazil 4-2 on penalties to advance to the semi-finals, where Argentina now await on Tuesday.

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar suggested after the match he may have played his final game for the Selecao, though he will hold off from making an official decision.

On what was a bittersweet occasion for the 30-year-old, Pele – who has been hospitalised with a respiratory infection – took to social media to hail his compatriot. 

"I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day and finally I can congratulate you for equalling my number of goals with the Brazilian national team," Pele posted on Instagram. 

"We both know this is so much more than a number. Our greatest duty as athletes is to inspire. 

"To inspire our professional colleagues of today, the next generations and, above all, to inspire everyone who loves our sport.

"Unfortunately, the day is not the happiest for us, but you will always be the source of inspiration that many aspire to become. 

"I've learned that the more time passes, the more our legacy grows. My record was set almost 50 years ago, and no one has been able to approach it until now. 

"You made it, boy. This enhances the greatness of your achievement. However, you know, as I do, that no number is greater than the joy of representing our country. 

"I'm 82 years old, and after all this time, I hope I've inspired you in some way to get this far. 

"More than that, I hope that your achievement spreads to the millions of people who follow you to challenge what seems impossible.

"Your legacy is far from over. Keep inspiring us. I will continue punching the air with happiness with every goal you score, as I have done in every game I've seen you."

Neymar is just the second Brazil player to score in extra time at a World Cup after Leonidas against Poland in the last-16 stage in 1938.

However, Brazil became the first team in the tournament's history to be eliminated from a knockout match in which they scored the opening goal during extra time.

It means the Selecao's wait for a record-extending sixth world crown will stretch to at least 24 years by the time the 2026 edition comes around.

Discussing his future following the loss to Croatia, in which he did not take a penalty in the shoot-out, Neymar said: "The feeling is really bad. 

"It's worse today than what happened in the past. Unfortunately, it's hard to find words to describe this moment. We tried, we fought, and I'm proud of all my team-mates.

"I'm proud of their personality, of taking the penalty, of their character, because it's not easy to assume that responsibility."

Neymar has made 124 Brazil appearances, whereas Pele reached his goals tally in 92 games.

Brazil have been eliminated from four of their past five World Cup quarter-finals, and from each of their past six knockout matches against European nations.