QATAR 2022 WORLD CUP: Dominik Livakovic saves three weak penalties as Croatia defeat Japan
By Samson Adeyemo
Dominik Livakovic’s three penalty saves sent Croatia to the last eight after 120 minutes of play, Croatia and Japan were locked at 1-1 and needed the tournament’s first penalty kick shootout to decide a winner.
The Samurai Blue, who won Group E with an inspirational come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany and Spain were in their second consecutive round of 16 of the tournaments for the first time in their team’s history.
Croatia, the runner-up to France in the 2018 World Cup, were making their third successive knockout rounds with the hope to repeat their previous reputation.
The match high intensity gave Japan the lead going into the 2nd half with many thanks to some relentless high pressing strategy and a goal from Daizen Maeda in the 43rd minute.
But Croatia battled back in the second period and got the equalizer. In the 55th minute, Ivan Perisic scored on a booming header to tie the game 1-1.
Croatia will now battle it out with Brazil in the last eight.
