Livakovic’s penalty heroics send Croatia through

The goalkeeper saved three spot-kicks after Perisic cancelled out Maeda’s first-half strike to force extra-time

AL WAKRAH, QATAR - DECEMBER 05: Dominik Livakovic and Mario Pasalic of Croatia celebrate after their side won the penalty shoot out during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Japan and Croatia at Al Janoub Stadium on December 05, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

  • Japan took a deserved lead just before half-time through Maeda

  • Perisic headed the 2018 runners-up level in the second half

  • Croatia dominated the second half but could not force a winner

    Japan 1-1 Croatia
    Goals | Maeda (43′), Perisic (55′)

    Match review
    Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic donned his cape and became the hero in the penalty shootout as his side came from behind to see off Japan and reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

    Livakovic saved three spot-kicks – from Takumi Minamino, Maya Yoshida and Kaoru Mitoma -to give his side a huge advantage in the shootout after the two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes and Mario Pasalic converted his kick to clinch a 3-1 victory for Croatia.

    Japan, who beat Spain and Germany to finish top of Group E, produced an impressive first-half performance at Al Janoub Stadium and took the lead through Daizen Maeda after a well-worked short corner.

    But Croatia’s experience shone through. Zlatko Dalic’s side had fallen behind in all three of their knockout matches on their way to the 2018 World Cup final and again they did not panic. A stunning header from Ivan Perisic drew them level and they looked more likely to find the winning goal.

    In the end they did not need it, as Japan froze in the shootout and Croatia stood tall, Marcelo Brozovic and Nikola Vlasic converting their penalties before Pasalic sealed Japan’s fate.

    Key moment: Perisic towers above the rest
    Perisic is one of the surviving members of the Croatia team that reached the 2018 World Cup final and, just as in the semi-final with England when his side were also trailing 1-0, the veteran winger delivered in his nation’s hour of need.

    He shook off the presence of three defenders to meet an inviting cross from Dejan Lovren a good distance from goal and direct the ball into the far bottom corner.

    Key state
    Croatia have won their last three penalty shootouts at the World Cup, having beaten Denmark in the last 16 in and hosts Russia in the quarter-finals in the 2018 tournament.

    Player of the match
    Dominik Livakovic