FIFA World Cup 2014.

In São Paulo, the Vatreni came close to a miracle, as early on Marcelo turned Olić’s cross toward Jelavić into his own net. However, Neymar managed to equalise before halftime, and a controversial second-half penalty gave Brazil the lead. In stoppage time, Oscar made it 3:1.

A disappointed Croatia lifted its head and found its rhythm again deep in the tropical Amazon rainforest, in Manaus, against a tricky Cameroon side. Ivica Olić wrote history in the 11th minute — scoring at a World Cup 12 years after his first — and Croatia fully capitalised on Song’s red card.

Ivan Perišić created and finished the second goal on his own, before Mario Mandžukić took centre stage with a brace — one header, one rebound — to complete a 4:0 victory, Croatia’s biggest win at a major tournament.

Thus, qualification for the knockout stage was to be decided in Recife, against a stubborn Mexico. By the 72nd minute the score still read 0:0, before Croatia conceded three goals in the space of ten minutes (Marquez, Guardado, Hernandez). Perišić’s late consolation (1:3) could not change the outcome, nor prevent Croatia’s return home after the group stage.