JAPAN – CROATIA. SOCCER. In a balanced and unbreathable round of 16, Croatia took out Japan on penalties (1-1, 1-3 on pens) thanks to an exceptional Livakovic, author of three saves! The Samurai Blue will have regrets because they had opened the mark through Maeda. Perisic equalized with a fine header. In the quarter-finals, Modric’s band will face Brazil or South Korea.
18:55 – Livakovic, an unexpected hero in this Japan – Croatia!
Modric, Brozovic, even Perisic and finally… Dominik Livakovic! At 27, the doorman of Dinamo Zagreb is the big man of this Japan – Croatia! He had the greatest moment of his career with the checkered shirt on his shoulders. In the penalty shootout, he took out attempts from Minamino, Mitoma and Yoshida. Only Asano, shooting in the middle, managed to beat the last rampart of the Vatrini. A rare performance that allows his family to reach the quarter-finals of the world Cup !
18:50 – Croatia joins the quarter-finals of the World Cup at the end of the suspense!
Led to the score after an achievement by Maeda (1-0, 43rd), following a corner, Modric’s band came back from hell. Shortly before the hour mark, Perisic equalized with a superb header from a cross from Lovren (1-1, 55′). Despite clear chances on both sides, the Blue Samurai and the Vatrini were unable to decide. In the penalty shootout, Livakovic was imperial by stopping three Japanese attempts. Opposite, if Livaja stumbled on the post, Vlasic, Brozovic and Pasalic took Gonda on the wrong foot.
18:43 – Pasalic sends Croatia to the quarter-finals! (1-1, 1-3 tabs)
Gonda dived to his left, and the Croatian midfielder shot to the left!
18:42 – Livakovic stops another shot on goal! (1-2)
Yoshida shot to the left side!
18:41 – Livaja hits the post! (1-2)
The striker shot on the left side! Gonda had started on the right side!
18:41 – This does not pass for Maya Yoshida!
The Japanese let a point slip away at the very end of the match. It is Maya Yoshida who has the wrong role and misses her penalty.
18:41 – Asano scores his shot on goal (1-2)
The Japanese shot in the middle! Livakovic dove to his right.
18:41 – Marko Livaja (Croatia) misses the mark!
It does not pass for Marko Livaja who misses his penalty. That makes a point lost for Croatia at the end of the match.
18:40 – Brozovic scores his shot on goal (0-2)
He shot in the middle.
18:40 – Takuma Asano (Japan) did not shake
Takuma Asano converts his penalty for Japan in this suspenseful end to the game. The end of this shock is now near.
6:40 p.m. – Livakovic shoots a second shot on goal! (0-1)
Livakovic dives to his right! The Croatia goalkeeper is on fire and takes out Mitoma’s shot!
18:39 – Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia) did not fail
Marcelo Brozovic converts his penalty for Croatia in this suspenseful end to the match. The end of this duel is now near.
18:39 – Vlasic puts Croatia ahead of Japan (0-1)
He hit on the left side. Gonda had started on the right side.
18:39 – Kaoru Mitoma (Japan) misses his shot!
It does not pass for Kaoru Mitoma who misses his penalty. That makes a point lost for Japan at the end of the match.
18:38 – It passes for Nikola Vlasic (Croatia)
Nikola Vlasic converts his penalty for Croatia in this suspenseful end to the match. The epilogue of this meeting is now near.
18:37 – Minamino stumbles on Livakovic! (0-0)
The AS Monaco player shot on the right! The Croatia goalkeeper had anticipated!
18:37 – The penalty shootout begins
The penalty session begins between Japan and Croatia, who failed to make the difference at the end of the match (1-1). Who will come out after this breathless match? Verdict in a few minutes now.
18:36 – We’re going to strike in front of the Japan fans!
And it’s the Samurai Blue who will strike first! The stress is palpable in the stands for this end of Japan – Croatia!
18:35 – The last cheers in this Japan – Croatia!
Here we are ! Now it’s the penalty shootout in this Japan – Croatia!
18:33 – Time for penalties in this Japan – Croatia!
At the end of a good match, the nations did not manage to decide between themselves in this round of 16 of the World Cup!
18:32 – Majer misses a huge opportunity!
At the entrance to the penalty area, the Rennais sends his shot next to the Japanese goal!
18:31 – There is one minute of additional time
Croatia insists in this end of extension.
18:30 – Tanaka is sounded in this Japan – Croatia!
The Samurai Blue took the ball in the head.
18:29 – We’re heading for penalties in this Japan – Croatia
There are two minutes left in the second period of this overtime.
18:27 – Croatia receives a second yellow
Barasic is penalized for a nasty tackle on his opponent. This Japan – Croatia is played in a good spirit.