Croatia is in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. The 2018 runner-up won 3-1 (1-1, 0-1) on penalties against Japan on Monday (December 5, 2022), ending the fright of the favourites. Daizen Meade (44′) and Ivan Perisic (55′) scored in regular time. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic then saved three penalties in the penalty shoot-out. The winner of the duel between Brazil and South Korea is now waiting in the quarterfinals.
As in 2002, 2010 and 2018, the Japanese, who beat Germany and Spain in the group stage, are finished in the first round of the knockout phase. Reaching the quarterfinals would have been the greatest success in the history of the national team.
Croatia have to do without Sosa
Both teams built on quality from the Bundesliga in their starting formations. For the Japanese, Gladbach’s Ko Itakura was missing with a yellow card, but with Schalke’s Maya Yoshida, Stuttgart’s Wataru Endo, Freiburg’s Ritsu Doan and Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada, there were at least four Germany legionnaires in the starting XI.
In Croatia, a Bundesliga duo started with central defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig and striker Andrej Kramaric from TSG Hoffenheim. Borna Sosa from VfB Stuttgart, previously a fixed size, had to pass due to an infection.
Japan and Croatia openly exchange blows
The Japanese, who had started cautiously in their victories against Germany and Spain, relied on early pressing from the start against Croatia and put Croatia under pressure right from the start of the game. Since the team around captain Luka Modric also thought offensively, a lively game developed in the Al-Janoub Stadium. There was no ball pushing or midfield banter, but there were numerous scenes in the goal area.
The Croatians’ best opportunities were missed by Perisic after Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu lost the ball (8′), Bruno Petkovic after a dream pass from Gvardiol (27′) and Kramaric after a beautiful cross from Borna Barisic (28′).
Maeda puts Japan ahead
At the other end, Shogo left Taniguchi after a corner (3′) and Kamada after a counterattack (41′) but Maeda did better shortly before the break. The Celtic Glasgow striker was spot on after a corner kick and clinched a deserved half-time lead. Overall, Japan seemed more agile and a little better organised. The Croatians didn’t disappoint either. Best conditions for a good second half.
Perisic equalizes quickly
And this got off to an eventful start. After a long-range attempt by Kamada shortly after the restart (46th), Croatia took the initiative and pushed for a quick equaliser. It took almost ten minutes until the first real chance, but it was there right away. After a nice cross from Dejan Lovren, Perisic got through powerfully in the middle and gave Japan’s keeper Shuichi Gonda no chance with a header into the far corner.
In the period that followed, an entertaining game developed with slight advantages for Croatia. However, since Japan also repeatedly interspersed dangerous actions, the end remained completely open. Both teams tried more from a distance. However, Endo (57′), Modric (63′) and Perisic (77′) aimed too imprecisely, and Ante Budimir also failed with a header (66′). Since none of the teams took any more risks in the final phase, the World Cup got its first 30-minute encore.
For Modric it’s over in the extra time
There was only seldom any real spectacle, even in extra time. The forces dropped just as visibly as the pace and the urge to score the opposing goal. The only remarkable thing at first was that Croatia national coach Zlatko Dalic dismissed two of his most experienced players, Modric and Mateo Kovacic (99′). The best sporting action of the first half was a solo with a slightly too central conclusion by substitute Kaoru Mitoma (105th).
At the start of the second half, Düsseldorf’s Ao Tanaka, who scored the winning goal against Spain, was also allowed to play. But he no longer had a dangerous scene either. After a total of 120 minutes and a goal by each side, it went to penalties.
Livakovic becomes a hero
Japan’s Takumi Minamino, Mitoma and Yoshida all failed in the shootout, all three denied by Croatia goalkeeper Livakovic. Only Takuma Asano from Bochum converted his penalty. Nikola Vlasic, Mercelo Brosovic and Mario Pasalic scored for the Croatians. Marko Livaja’s missed shot had no consequences.