Croatia tied the sport with a header from PerisicThe goalkeeper Livakovic, a Balkan hero by saving three penalties within the shootout that certified the runners-up for the quarterfinalsA very shut recreation by each groups that didn’t threat dropping the ball in additional time
The Croatian crew has overwhelmed the Japanese crew within the spherical of 16 match. A match that was very tied by each groups, however which, ultimately, the Croatian crew gained after successful the penalty shootout.
The groups of Japan and Croatia challenged one another this Monday on the Al Janoub Stadium for a ticket to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Qatar, in a spherical of 16 duel during which the Japanese, able to shocking Germany and Spain, didn’t they’ve been capable of proceed making historical past and during which the present runner-up on the planet has stunned within the penalty shootout.
Croatia confirmed their commerce in a match during which Japan was higher till their energy gave out, and confirmed that it was no coincidence that they have been one cross away from making historical past and emulating the 2 Asian groups that, to this point, are the The solely ones which have made it to the quarterfinals, the 2 Koreas, the North in 1966, and the South in 2002.
The Japanese crew scored the primary objective of the sport within the forty fourth minute. Ball within the Croatian space and error by the Croatian gamers’ protection. Japan put the rating forward, minutes earlier than the top of the primary half. The first 45 minutes the place Japan had the ball greater than standard.
The second half began, after ten minutes taking part in, Croatia tied the sport with a header from Perisic. Zlatko Dalic’s males paid the identical value to Japan, who, not like in opposition to Germany and Spain, discovered themselves outmatched at first of the second half,
A second half the place they returned from scratch and that not one of the groups risked to keep away from making errors, thus reaching additional time. The groups performed with concern of dropping the ball and that it will change into a objective in opposition to.
Livakovic, star of penalties
In the one hundred and twentieth minute additional time ended to start out the penalty shootout. The Japanese crew has been nicely beneath the Croatian. Japan’s first two penalties have been saved by the Croatian goalkeeper, Livakovic. Spectacular efficiency from the Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper, who has stopped as much as three photographs from the Japanese gamers. Mario Pasalic scored the ultimate objective that locations the world runner-up within the quarterfinals. Modric breathed a sigh of reduction as a result of his worldwide retirement must wait.
Croatia have waited to grab the chance to vindicate themselves after a bunch stage during which they didn’t persuade or present their finest face, regardless of ending undefeated. They handed as second within the group and now they go to the quarterfinals.
Now, the runner-up in Russia 2018, who reached the semifinals in each editions of the World Cup, are only one recreation away from the semifinals of this World Cup. First they have to see their faces within the quarterfinals in opposition to the winner of Brazil-South Korea.