The Croats to the World Cup quarterfinals after defeating Japan in a penalty shootout on Monday, following a hard-fought 1-1 tie in regulation time.
Just before halftime, Japan took the lead at Al Janoub Stadium when Daizen Maeda pounced on a deep free-kick into the opposing penalty box. Croatia responded with a spectacular header from Ivan Perisic on 55 minutes, setting up a tense final half-hour, but neither side could find a winner inside 90 minutes or in extra time.
Dominik Livakovic saved three penalties before Mario Pasalic scored to send Croatia to the quarterfinals, where they will face Brazil, who defeated South Korea 4-1.
The game was more open than anyone had reason to expect, with Croatia gradually taking control of the midfield and Japan attempting to hit them on the break. In the eighth minute, Perisic was put through on goal, but Shuichi Gonda pushed his shot away, and Bruno Petkovic had a one-on-one with Gonda, only to tap an attempted pass tamely through the Japanese goalkeeper’s legs.
Japan showed far more daring in the second half of their group matches, with Shogo Taniguchi, Daichi Kamada, and Maeda all having chances to open the scoring before the latter broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute.
Ritsu Doan took a short corner and curled it into the box, where Petkovic deflected it back across the six-yard box under close scrutiny from Maya Yoshida, and Maeda pounced to tuck it in.
The equaliser came 12 minutes later on the same flank, with Dejan Lovren lofting a beauty into the box and Perisic getting in front of his marker to powerfully head the ball into the bottom right corner of Gonda’s goal.
That roused Japan, and Wataru Endo was soon firing a long-range effort that Livakovic tipped over the bar.
Extra time was a little rougher, though Japan substitute Kaoru Mitoma’s thrilling run and piledriver of a shot brought a fine save out of Livakovic just before the break.
Croatia won the penalty shootout after Nikola Vlasic and Marcelo Brozovic put Croatia ahead 2-1 before Pasalic sealed the deal.
