An epoch-making win over four-time winners Germany earlier than doing the unthinkable towards 2010 winners Spain, giant-killers Japan have been merely busy cleansing area in Qatar because the Samurai Blue crowned Group E of the FIFA World Cup 2022 to set a date with Luka Modric-led Croatia within the Round of 16 section. Living as much as its giant-killers tag within the knockout level of the Qatar World Cup, Japan took 2018 runners-up Croatia to the extremes in an action-packed Round of 16 come upon on the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.
Japanese enthusiasts erupted in ecstasy when Daizen Maeda gave the Samurai Blue an early lead mins earlier than the top of the 1st part. Making certain the exciting come upon is going into additional time on the lookout for a winner, veteran Ivan Perisic were given Croatia on stage phrases with an excellent header within the fifty fifth minute of the sport. Breaking Japanese hearts in a dramatic penalty shootout, goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic scalped a hat-trick of saves to seal Croatia’s spot within the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
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Livakovic, who used to be now not the first-choice goalkeeper at Russia, shell-shocked Takumi Minamino through saving the 1st penalty of the shootout. After denying Kaoru Mitoma from the second one spot kick, Livakovic blocked Maya Yoshida’s try through denying him from the fourth penalty to position Croatia getting ready to a well-known win within the knockout level of the FIFA World Cup. A Livakovic-inspired Croatia outclassed Japan 3–1 within the penalty shootout after the Round of 16 fit resulted in a 1–1 stalemate.
Rewriting historical past at the grandest level of all of them, Livakovic changed into the 3rd goalkeeper to supply 3 saves in one penalty shootout on the FIFA World Cup. Croatia’s superstopper has joined the likes of ex-Portugal big name Ricardo (2006 vs England) and Croatia’s personal Danijel Subasic (2018 vs Denmark) within the elite listing of goalkeepers. Livakovic is predicted to include every other busy evening between the sticks in Qatar as Croatia are set to fulfill Neymar-starrer Brazil within the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on the Education City Stadium on Friday.
