The first game at this year’s World Cup to go into extra time and penalties, the Croatia-Japan round of 16 fixture was 1-1 at the end of the regulation 90 minutes with Daizen Maeda scoring for Japan, while Ivan Perisic restored parity for the Croats. Extra time also failed to separate the two teams, with the score remaining tied even after 120 minutes of play.
Croatia made it into their second World Cup quarter-final in a row on the back of a hat-trick of saves from goalkeeper Dominik Livaković in the shootout. Joško Gvardiol put in another commanding performance at centre-back for the Croatians, stifling Japanese attackers and taking the occasional striding run forward to ensure the game went to a shootout.
Japan’s forwards, including substitute Takumi Minamino, missed three penalties sealing their exit from the tournament and missing out on a chance to reach the last eight for the first time in their history.
Croatia now face either Brazil or South Korea in the last eight and continue midfield icon Luka Modric’s stay at his fourth and likely final World Cup. The round of 16 tie between the South Americans and the only remaining Asian team in the tournament is scheduled to be played at 12:30am, IST on December 6.
