Tite Bows Out As Brazil Coach After 'Painful' World Cup Exit

After a goalless 90 minutes, Brazil seized the lead through Neymar midway through extra time, only for Croatia to equalise in the 117th minute with Bruno Petkovic. The 61-year-old, who has been in charge since 2016, has already stated that he will quit the role regardless of the outcome of the tournament in Qatar.

"It's a bitter defeat, but I'm leaving in peace.It is the conclusion of a cycle "After Brazil's stunning withdrawal from the competition at Doha's Education City Stadium, he informed reporters."I said that a year and a half ago. I didn't come here to win and then turn around and say I was going to remain, and people who know me understand that."

After a goalless 90 minutes, Brazil seized the lead through Neymar midway through extra time, only for Croatia to equalise in the 117th minute with Bruno Petkovic.

Rodrigo's first penalty kick for Brazil was saved by Croatia's player of the match, Dominik Livakovic.

Marquinhos had to convert for Brazil after Croatia scored four penalties, but he struck the post.

Tite had previously presided over Belgium's quarterfinal defeat from the last World Cup in Russia four years ago.

In the interim, Brazil won the Copa America on home soil in 2019, but then lost the final as hosts to Argentina the following year.

The Brazilian Football Confederation has already said that its new coach will not be appointed until January.

When asked how he felt about his time in command, Tite replied, "In time, I will be able to answer better."

"I am not in a position to evaluate all of our work right now, but you will be able to do so as time goes on."

"Now that we've been removed, I don't have the capacity to accomplish that."

Meanwhile, Tite was questioned about why Neymar did not take Brazil's fourth penalty instead of Marquinhos when the team needed to score merely to remain alive in the shootout.

"Because he takes the critical fifth penalty," he stated.

"When there is the most pressure, the guy with the most talent and the appropriate mindset stands up."

After equaling Pele's record of 77 goals for the Brazilian side, Neymar was never given the opportunity to take a penalty.

It is only the second time in World Cup history that Brazil has lost a penalty shootout, having been defeated in the same manner by France in the quarterfinals of the 1986 tournament in Mexico.

"It's difficult when you lead 1-0 in extra time and then surrender the equaliser 13 minutes into the second half of extra time," Tite remarked of his team's mindset heading into the shoot-out.

"It's difficult to be psychologically strong in such scenario."