sitting down and crying as his teammates tried to console him<\/a>. That heartbreak, however, led to one of the most wholesome moments of the tournament, when a child, later identified as Croatian winger Ivan Perisic’s son Leo, ran over to give a message to his father’s opponent.<\/p>\nThe kid was initially stopped by security, but was let through by Neymar for a handshake and a hug.<\/p>\n
That’s what events like the World Cup are all about.<\/p>\n
Brazil’s loss means the country will go at least 24 years without a championship, tied for their longest drought since they captured their first title in 1958. That leaves the 30-year-old Neymar in a position all too familiar to his former teammate Lionel Messi , a star of a country’s generation who has yet to win the top international title.<\/p>\n
The loss also means Neymar will fall short of surpassing Pel\u00e9 as Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer this year. His extra-time goal tied him atop the list with Pel\u00e9 at 77.<\/p>\n
Neymar figures to get his next shot at the combined US-Mexico-Canada tournament in 2028. Croatia, meanwhile, will face Argentina on Tuesday after Messi and his teammates pulled out their own win on penalty kicks against the Netherlands on Friday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n