Croatia beats Japan (1-1) 3-1 on penalties to reach Quarterfinals of Qatar World Cup 2022
Croatia defeated Japan 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time to secure their place in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup.
Daizen Maeda’s first half goal was equalized by Ivan Perisic as the teams equalized in the 120th minute, but Croatia won on penalties and Japan lost three of their four.
Croatia, runners-up to Russia four years ago, now face Brazil or South Korea in the Round of 16.
Japan had a golden opportunity in the third minute when Shogo Taniguchi found himself clear in the Croatian penalty area, but the 31-year-old headed the ball over the bar.
Dominik Livakovic had a nervous moment between the sticks for Croatia.
Croatia had a great chance in the eighth minute when Perisic pushed into the Japanese area after a mistake by Takehiro Tomiyasu, but Shuichi Gonda saved the attacker’s attempt.
Japan had another chance in the 14th minute when Junya Ito superbly crossed into the Croatian penalty area, but Maeda was unable to react under pressure from Dejan Lovren.
Josko Guardioli had half a chance for Croatia after a Luka Modric free kick in the 24th minute, but the coveted defender sailed over the bar and Bruno Petkovic failed to convert a great chance of the game. Japan box, Andrej Kramaric freely from a distance.
Daichi Kamada headed over the crossbar for Croatia in the 41st minute, but Japan opened the scoring in the 43rd minute when Maeda fired from close range after the striker curled in a fine corner.
Mateo Kovacic hit the crossbar early in the second half, but Japan continued to cause trouble on the other end as Hajime Moriyasu’s men threatened the second.
However, Croatia came from behind in the 55th minute when Perisic made an excellent save in the bottom corner after tackling Josip Juranovic.
Wataru Endo tested the Croatia goalkeeper with a long-range effort just before the hour mark, before Gonda saved Modric from long range on the other side of the box.
Ante Budimir shot wide of the Japan post in the 67th minute and Perisic missed in the 77th minute when Croatia looked more likely.
Neither team could find a second before the end of regulation time and the game went into overtime.
Kaoru Mitoma had the best chance in extra time, but his long-range shot was blocked by the Croatian goalkeeper and Lovro Majer went wide with seconds to go, forcing a penalty shootout. two sides.
Takumi Minamino saw his first Livakovic goal give Croatia a 1–0 lead as Nikola Vlasic scored.
The Croatian goalkeeper also saved Mitoma against Marcelo Brozovic to make it 2-0 for Croatia.
Japan managed to lift the trophy through Takuma Asano and Livaja, then hit the post for Croatia before Yoshida saw that his attempt to give the European side a chance to win had been scrapped.
Mario Pasalic advanced in the Croatian goal and put the team in the round of 16 on penalties.
Lineups:
Brazil Replacements: Kawashima, Yamane, Shibasaki, Mitoma, Minamino, Tanaka, Asano, Sakai, Machino, Ueda, Schmidt, Soma, Ito
Croatia Replacements: Erlic, Majer, Grbic, Vlasic, Livaja, Pasalic, Budimir, Orsic, Vida, Ivusic, Sutalo, Sucic, Jakic
Scorers:
43′ Daizen Maeda
Croatia
Yellow Cards:
