Japan 1-1 Croatia: AET Croatia Wins 3-1 on Penalties
Croatia beats Japan in the penalties and gets a pass to the quarterfinals. Experience came into play for the Croats who scored three of the penalties. The Samurai Blue just scored one leaving them out of the World Cup.
Despite this, Japan opened thel score with a goal from Daizen Maeda in the 43th minute. The equaliser from Perisic came after ten minutes in the second half. Neither team was able to score in the regular time nor in the extra time. Japan vs Croatia was decided on the penalties.
Borna Barisic and Bruno Petkovic both started for Croatia as part of two changes from their 0-0 draw with Belgium. Marko Livaja and Borna Sosa, who was unwell and not in the squad, made way. Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Perisic were in the Croatia line-up again.
Hajime Moriyasu has brought in Takehiro Tomiyasu into the defence in place of the suspended Ko Itakura as one of three changes. Wataru Endo and Ritsu Doan came back into midfield at the expense of Takefusa Kubo and Ao Tanaka.
Just running in the first minutes of the game there was a pressing side from Japan into the Croatian defense.
In the 8th minute, the first real chance for Croatia. A back pass of Tomiyasu, allowed Perisic in on goal. Gonda stopped his effort.
In the 12th minute, the closest chance for Japan. After a low cross from Maeda, Nagatomo arrived at the back but he couldn’t get a hold of the ball. More pressure from the Japanese, a chance for Ito from the right, a low cross that Lavakovic intercepted.
In the 28th minute, Barisic delivered to Perisic who was near the post, in a header towards the back. Croatia had the possession of the ball.
The Samurai Blue kept pushing the Croatian defense. A great chance for Japan. Maeda held the ball from Croatia, pulled back to end on the edge of the box, passed to Kamada, but the forward ended a close shot off-target.
Just before halftime, in the 43th minute, Japan took the lead. A corner shot to Doan, who delivered a cross and Maeda delivered the ball in the back of the net.
A deserved lead was taken by Japan who created more occasions during the first half. Croatia had the ball possession at 59% but they were not able to complete any play.
No changes from either side at half-time.
In the 55th minute, Croatia was back in the game. Lovren delivered a cross on the right and Perisic was inside the area with a header into the corner of the net.
The Japanese reacted to the equaliser. The pressure from their side increased with two chances for the team.
In the 63th minute, Modric had a chance to take the lead, with a shot from the edge of the box to the far corner, pushed back by Gonda. Another chance this time from substitute striker Budimir.
In the 77th minute, Perisic ran at the Japan defense and sent a left-footed shot towards the goal that did not end up on target.
Both sides had chances but nobody was able to score, as neither wanted to lose. Just before the 90th minute, Kovacic saw the first yellow card of the game after several fouls.
For the first time in this World Cup it was going into extra time.
Japan started with more control over Japan and more energy. Croatia had a chance to score the leading goal. Modric came off for Make. Kovacic was subbed for Vlasic.
In the 104th minute, Japan had the closest chance. Mitoma ran with the ball from his half, reaching the edge of the Croatia box.
In the 111th minute, Croatia had a corner and Gonda punched it away.
Shortly after, Mitoma’s header across the line was caught by Lavakovic as the second yellow card of the game was shown to Barisic.
After a last chance for Croatia, they went to penalties.
Japan started on the penalty kicks, with two saves from Lavakovic. Croatia scored the two first penalties, missing the third one, but scoring the last one which gave them the victory. The Samurai Blue just scored one penalty.
Croatia will face the winner of Brazil vs South Korea playing today at 7.00pm.
