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Croatia vs Japan: Croatia wins a penalty shootout to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2022.
Croatia vs Japan: Fifa World Cup 2022
The Vatreni advanced to the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals after defeating Japan 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 Round of 16 tie in Al Wakrah.
The 2018 finalists struggled early on, as Celtic striker Daizen Maeda put Japan ahead before the break.
However, Zlatko Dalic’s experienced side rallied after the restart, with Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic arriving inside the six-yard box to level the score.
Croatia won the penalty shootout after Dominik Livakovic saved three Japan spot-kicks and Mario Pasalic stroked home the decisive penalty.
Croatia goalkeeper Livakovic is the hero, saving three Japan penalty kicks to advance the 2018 finalists to the last eight!!
About the match
Both Japan and Croatia blew early scoring chances. But, just minutes before halftime, Daizen Maeda scored for Japan on a well-worked corner kick. Ivan Perisic scored a fantastic header early in the second half to tie the game at 1-1. The two teams couldn’t be separated in 90 minutes, forcing the match into extra time for the first time in this edition of the FIFA World Cup. Even in extra time, the two teams couldn’t be separated. The Croatian goalkeeper performed admirably in the shootout, helping his team to a 3-1 (1-1) victory.
