NEIGHBOURS MOVE ON: Croatia beats Japan in penalty drama

(Patria) - The Round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar offered a very good match and drama between Japan and Croatia, where the Croatian national team celebrated after a better penalty shootout.

The Vatreni are accustomed to playing extra time and taking penalties at World Cups, so this was nothing new for this team and Zlatko Dalić. On the other hand, Japan, buoyed by excellent results in the group stage, wanted to spring another surprise.

Croatia started the match well and had a great chance in the eighth minute. Perišić took the ball from Tomiyasu and headed towards goal. He opted for a shot from an angle, Gonda saved it, and the ball reached Kramarić, who failed to get a quality shot on goal.

A fantastic pass from Gvardiol to Petković in the 24th minute, who in a promising situation opted for an assist rather than a shot.

In the 41st minute, the Japanese players played through Croatia's right side of defence, Kamada used a dummy to create space for a shot, which was not good.

Daizen Maeda shook Croatia's net in the 44th minute after a rebound in the penalty area, it was a big shock for the Vatreni, who would have to get back into the match quickly in the second half.

Croatia managed to level the score at 1-1 already in the 56th minute. Ivan Perišić followed a brilliant cross-shot and perfectly headed the ball past the right post.

Croatia threatened twice, once through Modrić who shot superbly from about twenty metres, but the Japanese goalkeeper made an excellent save. Kramarić then shot, and the ball rebounded off a Japanese defender to Budimir, who failed to put it into the net.

Until the end of regular time, Japan and Croatia tried to create a more serious chance in front of the opponent's goal, but it did not happen, so the match went into an additional 30 minutes.

Croatia had the first chance in extra time through Budimir, but the Japanese defence cleared the danger.

Kaoru Mitoma shot superbly, and Dominik Livaković stopped his attempt which would have ended under the crossbar.

Both teams played excellently, looking for an opponent's mistake to threaten the goal, a very cautious game.

The second period of extra time brought Croatia control of the game; they tried and applied high pressure, but could not threaten the Japanese goalkeeper, and eventually it went to a penalty shootout.

Japan shot first, Minamino took the responsibility and Livaković saved his shot. The second penalty for Japan was taken by Mitoma, and the excellent Livaković was again safe in goal.

The third penalty for Croatia was taken by Marko Livaja, but the ball after his shot hit the post.

Yoshida took the fourth penalty, and Domagoj Livaković was incredible in Croatia's goal, saving this one as well.

The responsibility for the last penalty for Croatia was taken by Pašalić, who was sure for the great celebration of the Vatreni.