Croatia is in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – thanks to Dominik Livakovic. The keeper saved three Japanese attempts in the shoot-out to become his team’s hero.
First Dominik Livakovic parried against Takumi Minamino. The attacker opened the penalty shootout in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup between Japan and Croatia – and failed. His unplaced and weak shot in the right corner was no problem for Livakovic.
The 27-year-old was also the winner in the second duel. Kaoru Mitoma shot well placed, sharp and into the left corner, but the Croatian keeper was lightning fast down and parried the attempt with his right hand. Livakovic had to let the Asians’ third attempt by Bochum’s Takuma Asano pass, but he regained the upper hand against the fourth shooter, Maya Yoshida from FC Schalke 04. The Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper was again on the ball with his right hand and prevented the goal.
Pasalic makes the decision
Because his team-mate Mario Pasalic then scored to make it 3-1, it was clear that Croatia was in the World Cup quarter-finals after a close game (1-1, 3-1 pens).
Livakovic’s secret of success: “instinct and analysis“
It’s clear that Livakovic was transferred from FIFA to “man of the match” was determined. The 27-year-old did not want to overestimate his previous exploits. “It’s more instinct and analysis by the shooters“, he said of his performance, to add succinctly: “That’s all. A penalty shootout is always uncertain and risky.”
Praise from Coach Dalic
The penalties, Livakovic continued, were “not hard to hold” been, “but they were shot hard“. Understatement that Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic did not share. “We had a fantastic goalkeeper, he was great“, he said.
In the footsteps of Ricardo and Subasic
Even if Livakovic appeared modest, he wrote history with his performance and joined an illustrious circle. The Dinamo Zagreb pro became just the third goalkeeper ever to save three penalties in a single World Cup shoot-out, following Portugal’s Ricardo against England in 2006 and Croatia’s Danijel Subasic against Denmark in 2018.
“Continuing the tradition of four years ago”
In Russia 2018, Livakovic was there as a substitute goalkeeper when his colleague Subasic shone. Now he could show this achievement himself. “We continued the tradition from four years ago”, he now said about his team’s progress. At that time, Croatia advanced in both the round of 16 and the quarter-finals on penalties.
But Livakovic was not only convincing in the “shootout” – he had also parried three shots on goal by the Japanese in the 120 minutes before.
Livakovic is not actually considered a penalty killer. He has been able to fend off a total of 14 penalties in his entire professional career – in all competitions. A normal, not outstanding rate.
Curious: He made his starting eleven debut in Croatia’s national team in 2017 at the “China Cup” against Chile. The game ended 1-1 back then, too, and a penalty shoot-out had to decide. The South Americans ultimately prevailed 4-1. Livakovic was defeated four times while his teammates failed twice.
Croatian number one since mid-2019
After that, it took a while for Livakovic to really take off in the national team. Only when Subasic ended his career in the Croatian selection after the 2018 World Cup did his hour come. Since mid-2019 he has been allowed to call himself a first-choice goalkeeper, even if Coach Dalic always gives other keepers game practice in this position.
But Livakovic continued to develop, reaching the group stage of the Champions League with Dinamo Zagreb this season and showing strong performances. So he went into the 2022 World Cup as the clear number one – and experienced his absolute career highlight against Japan.
And the journey continues. In the quarter-finals, Brazil, the record world champions and an absolute favorite for the title, will probably be waiting. Then Livakovic should be the center of attention again. Maybe he’ll outgrow himself again.
Croatia won’t hide from the South Americans either – because they want more. For the third time they are in the knockout stages of a World Cup in Qatar: they finished third in 1998, second in 2018 – and in 2022?
Dalic warns Brazil
In any case, coach Dalic warned the Brazilians once before: “Never underestimate us. We are a small nation, we work hard and we fight for our goals.”