Croatia continued their proud record of having never lost a World Cup Round of 16 clash as they edged Japan on penalties at the Al Janoub Stadium. The result sees the 2018 WC finalists book a tasty quarterfinal clash against Brazil, who eased past South Korea in their Ro16 game.
Japan came into the game having accounted for both Germany and Spain in the group stages, and took the lead just before half time through Daizen Maeda. Croatia equalised in the 55th minute through Ivan Perisic, who atoned for his earlier 8th minute miss with a brilliant header into the far corner.
The two teams could not be separated at the final whistle, meaning a first extra time game at this World Cup. Croatia took off both Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic and Japan appeared to tire as the game went deep into extra time.
Eventually, penalties were required to decide the winner and Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic saved three Japanese penalties, with Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida all fluffing their lines from the spot.
Croatian substitute Marko Livaja missed his spot kick, but Nikola Vlasic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mario Pasalic made no mistake with theirs, and Zlatko Dalic’s men prevailed 3-1 in the shootout.
