Croatia beats Japan on penalties

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three spot-kicks as Croatia beat Japan 3-1 in a penalty shootout to reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup (WC) quarter-finals for the third time after a fascinating 120-minute contest finished deadlocked at 1-1 at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Monday.

Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida were all denied by Livakovic before Mario Pasalic coolly sent Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda the wrong way to set up a last-eight date for the Croatians with Brazil on Friday.

Three times in the knockout rounds in Russia four years ago Croatia came from behind to advance after extra time before losing to France in the final.

It once again showed its resilience and patience by coming from a goal down to tame a lively Japan team which had beaten Germany and Spain in the group stage. Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for Japan in the 43rd minute and Ivan Perisic headed the equaliser 10 minutes after the break, but the teams could not be separated over the remainder of the game.

For Japan, this was last-16 heartache for the fourth time after a loss to Turkey in 2002, exiting on penalties against Paraguay in 2010 and giving up a 2-0 lead to lose to a stoppage- time goal against Belgium four years ago.

After all its hard work in topping a difficult group and matching the Croatians for 120 minutes, Japan crumbled in the shootout with only Takuma Asano converting his penalty. Nikola Vlasic and Marcelo Brozovic put Croatia 2-0 ahead and even though Marko Livaja hit the post with his spot-kick, Pasalic was able to seal the deal with the fourth penalty. Japan showed far more adventure than it had in the first half of its group matches and Shogo Taniguchi, Daichi Kamada and Maeda all had chances to open the scoring before the latter broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute.

Extra time was a little more ragged although a thrilling run and pile driver of a shot from Japan substitute Kaoru Mitoma brought a fine save out of Livakovic just before the break. (C.D)