Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made three saves within the shootout as Croatia progressed in Qatar
Croatia ended Japan’s hopes of reaching a first-ever World Cup quarterfinal as they prevailed on penalties of their last-16 assembly in Qatar, organising a date with Brazil or South Korea.
After the rating ended 1-1 following additional time of a fascinating contest at Al Janoub Stadium, it was Croatia who saved their cool from the spot.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made three saves from tame Japanese efforts, earlier than Mario Pasalic slotted the successful penalty for Croatia to assert the shootout 3-1.
Zlatko Dalic’s staff will subsequent face the winners of the last-16 encounter between Brazil and South Korea within the quarterfinal on Friday.
Japan had been among the many sensations of the event to date in Qatar, topping Group E after gorgeous comeback victories towards former World Cup winners Germany and Spain.
They performed their half in an engrossing contest with 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, opening the scoring within the forty third minute of the match by means of Daizen Maeda.
Croatia hit again within the second half by means of a brilliantly positioned header from stalwart Ivan Perisic.
The recreation misplaced a few of its verve as additional time performed out, earlier than Croatia proved once more that they are going to again themselves in a shootout – simply as they did twice through the knockout phases on their run to the ultimate in Russia 4 years in the past.
Goalkeeper Livakovic saved a tame opening effort from Monaco’s Takumi Minamino, setting the tone for the shootout for Japan.
Former CSKA Moscow playmaker Nikola Vlasic fired within the first spot kick for Croatia, earlier than Livakovic guessed the precise strategy to save once more from Kaoru Mitoma.
Marcelo Brozovic tucked his shot down the center, earlier than Takuma Asano saved Japan’s hopes alive by scoring his effort.
Marko Livaja hit the put up with an informal effort for Croatia, however Japanese captain Maya Yoshida then noticed his shot saved by the impressed Livakovic.
Pasalic, a former loanee at Spartak Moscow, struck the successful penalty as Croatia celebrated their progress wildly whereas numerous Japanese gamers slumped to the bottom in despair.
Livakovic was impressed in aim for Croatia.
Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Targeting a first-ever berth within the final eight of the World Cup, it was Japan who began a lot the brighter at Al Janoub Stadium, and will have taken the lead within the opening two minutes if Shogo Taniguchi had achieved higher together with his header from shut vary.
Croatia eyed an opportunity of their very own by means of Ivan Perisic not lengthy after, however the winger noticed his effort saved by Shuichi Gonda from a decent angle.
Japan who continued to point out extra attacking menace, and ultimately they made the breakthrough simply earlier than half time.
After a well-worked brief nook, Ritsu Doan whipped a cross into the field, the place captain Yoshida poked the ball sideways for Daizen Maeda to blast it into the web.
It was the primary time Japan had opened the scoring of their 4 video games in Qatar, however was arguably not more than their full of life efficiency had merited.
Maeda had given Japan the lead.
Markus Gilliar / GES Sportfoto / Getty Images
Croatia headed in on the break realizing they had been effectively off the requirements they’ve develop into accustomed to setting.
But ten minutes into the second half, Croatia discovered themselves degree.
Zenit St. Petersburg defender Dejan Lovren despatched a protracted ball into the field, the place Perisic beat his man to direct a well-placed header throughout Gonda and into the underside nook.
It was a thirty third aim in nationwide staff colours for Perisic – a participant who was so integral to their run to the ultimate in Russia 4 years in the past.
It additionally meant Perisic scored his tenth aim at a serious event, overtaking the good Davor Suker as his nation’s document holder.
The aim roused Croatia. Luka Modric – who made his World Cup debut towards the Japanese in Germany again in 2006 – examined Gonda with a vicious dipping volley from outdoors the field which the goalkeeper pushed to security.
Soon afterwards, Croatian substitute Ante Budimir despatched a header broad when free on the again put up.
Croatia threatened whereas Japan continued to play their half in an enthralling contest, however they remained locked at 1-1 as the sport turned the primary go head to extra-time in Qatar.
Japan sat deep because the fizz went out of the sport considerably, whereas the 37-year-old Modric departed for Lovro Majer within the 99th minute as Croatia regarded to inject extra vitality into midfield.
Substitute Mitoma – a hero together with his dramatic help towards Spain – burst ahead on uncommon a Japanese foray into hazard territory, drawing a save from Livakovic with a strong shot down the center of the aim.
Majer dragged a shot broad of the put up from the sting of the field within the dying seconds as Croatia spurned their final probability to win the sport earlier than it went to penalties.
But simply as they did with wins towards Denmark and Russia on the World Cup 4 years in the past, Croatia received it spot on within the shootout once more as Livakovic was the hero.
(RT.com)