Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is celebrated after winning the penalty shootout of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Japan and Croatia at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. (AP Photo)FIFA World Cup 2022 Japan vs Croatia Highlights: Following a 1-1 stalemate that right in the extra time, Croatia beat Japan 3-1 in the first penalty shootout of the 2022 World Cup, courtesy of Dominik Livakovic’s three saves.
Japan took the towards the end of the first half as Daizen Maeda scored from a header. Croatia would also use the same way to equalise, early in the second half. Ivan Perisic scored his 10th goal at major tournaments, surpassing Davor Suker to become Croatia’s top scorer at major events.
Lineups: Japan: Gonda; Tomiyasu, Yoshida, Taniguchi; Ito, Endo, Morita, Nagatomo; Doan, Maeda, Kamada; Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Barisic; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic
Follow Japan vs Croatia, FIFA World Cup Highlights below
Maya Yoshida, Japan captain: [Barely managing to hold back his tears] I am proud of my team-mates. To beat Germany, Spain. Thanks to the crowd in stadium and those watching on TV. For last four years we have been working for this day. This is difficult to accept. We made lots of sacrifices. This is difficult to accept.
JPN: X, X, O, X
CRO: O, O, X, O
Venkata Krishna: Before this match Dominik Livakovic had saved 14 off the 54 penalties. And today he made three saves to take Croatia into the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Mario Pašalić converts and Croatia beat Japan on penalties 3-1.
Agony for the Asian side, another Round of 16 exit for the Blue Samurai and the faces tell a story. Meanwhile the 2018 runner ups progress through to the quarter finals.
Maya Yoshida's penalty is saved by Livakovic and Croatia are on the brink.
PENALTIES: JPN 1-2 CRO
Marko Livaja hits the post.
PENALTIES: JPN 1-2 CRO
Takuma Asano had to score and score he does.
PENALTIES: JPN 1-2 CRO
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Marcelo Brozović converts from the spot and Croatia lead by two.
PENALTIES: JPN 0-2 CRO
Kaoru Mitoma misses from the spot and Japan have missed two in a row now.
PENALTIES: JPN 0-1 CRO
Nicola Vlasic scores to the right of Gonda and Japan lead.
PENALTIES: JPN 0-1 CRO
As the shootouts are upon us, good time as any to revisit the most ridiculous of them all - no, not Diana Ross of US 1994 opening ceremony, but from last year. Presenting Japan's high-school football shootout. Watch and weep!
Minamino to take the first penalty. Livakovic takes his place in front of the goal as the referee reminds him of the rules. AND.......Minamo's attempt is saved by the Croatian GK.
PENALTIES: JPN 0-0 CRO
So, the inevitable has become the reality. Both the teams created good tempo in that second period of the extra time but 30 more minutes were just not enough. Penalty shootout, a first at these World Cup finals to decide which of these two will progress into the quarter finals.
JPN 1-1 CRO
Just a minute of added time, meanwhile Japan fail to clear their lines and Majer has a good chance on the edge of the box, but he drags his shot wide.
JPN 1-1 CRO
Japan have the ball to the left of the Croatian goal. Sakai has the chance to find his teammate in the six yard box but his cross is straight to Livakovic, who makes no error in gathering it clean.
The Japan fans have been immense at these finals in more than one way and their music is only getting louder as their team looks for that goal with a penalty shootout looming large.
JPN 1-1 CRO
Gonda catches the ball from a cross and tries to find Ito with a long kick up the pitch. Gvardiol does well to intercept and put pressure back on Japan.
Meanwhile, the Japan keeper releases a quick kick towards Asano near the halfway line but the Croatian backline is in place to avoid a catastrophic counter.
JPN 1-1 CRO
Mitoma finds himself in a good position again but chooses to cross this time rather than shoot. The chance comes to nothing as Japan also look to push forward in search of what would most likely be a winner.
JPN 1-1 CRO
Four changes in ET have allowed Croatia to introduce fresh legs and push forwards. Taking off Modric, Kovacic and Perisic, the 2018 runner ups have expressed that they want to find a goal in ET and go for a win pre-penalty shootout.
JPN 1-1 CRO