Japan-Croatia : Livakovic Heroics Sends Croats Through

Croatia are through to the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after knocking out Japan 3-1 on penalties (1-1 after extra time) last night in their round of 16 fixture played at the Al Janoub Stadium. The 2018 finalists will have their goalkeeper Dominique Livakovic to thank after he stopped three penalties to send them through in an evenly contested game. Japan will be kicking themselves how they let the game slip off their grip against a sloppy Croatian side in the first half.
The Samurai Blues deservedly went into the dressing room with a one nil lead after striker Daizen Maeda (43’) put them in front from a short corner. But Croatia did get their mojo in the second half and struck back through a fine header from veteran winger Ivan Perisic (55’).
The two sides probed for a winner in vain with the game heading to extra time; the first since the start of the knockout stages but there was no winner and penalties had to settle the game. Croatian goalkeeper, Dominique Livakovic then became the hero of the day, making himself big ...