With a 3-1 victory over Japan on penalties, after 1-1 in normal time and overtime, Croatia advanced to the quarterfinals of the Qatar Cup.
The Croats, current vice-champions of the world, will duel on Friday (9) against the winner of Brazil x South Korea to try to reach the semifinals.
The triumph in the round of 16 tie maintained Croatia’s series of positive results in Cups in games decided after normal time (90 minutes plus injury time) and extra time (30 minutes plus injury time).
At the Russian World Cup, the Croatians eliminated Denmark (round of 16) and Russia (quarter-finals) on penalties and England (semi-final) in extra time.
Croatia ended an astonishing Japanese campaign with group stage wins over world champions Germany and Spain, both 2-1 comebacks.
Elimination maintains the Japanese writing of never getting past the first knockout of Mundial. It was the fourth fall in the Round of 16, as had occurred in 2002, 2010 and 2018.
It was also the second World Cup in which Japan fell on penalties in the Round of 16. In South Africa, 12 years ago, Paraguay won.
In the match at Al Janoub stadium, in Al Wakrah, the Japanese found a goal in a bad first half of football, with little creativity. Doan crossed in the area, captain Yoshida straightened and striker Maeda concluded, at 43min.
Croatia’s draw came in a much busier second half, and it was over the top – historically, the Japanese team has a reputation for not being good in the air.
At 10min, defender Lovren crossed from afar and Perisic went up with style to test hard in the goalkeeper Gonda’s corner.
It was the sixth goal of the striker, who wears shirt number 4 (usually worn by a defender), in World Cups, the first in this World Cup. Perisic had scored twice in 2014 at the World Cup in Brazil and three in 2018 in Russia, including one in the final against France.
The Tottenham player reached 33 goals for Croatia and equaled Mandzukic as the second with the most goals in the history of the selection. They are behind Davor Suker (45), who defended the team from 1991 to 2002.
The balanced extra time showed Croatia tired and changing players – including the captain, Modric, chosen as the best player of the 2018 World Cup – and Japan with breath and believing in the rush.
The best chance went to Mitoma, who started from the defense and finished from the edge of the area to a good defense by Livakovic.
No one, however, managed to swing the nets again, and in the maximum penalties the Croatian goalkeeper made the difference. He saved kicks from Mizamino, Mitoma and Yoshida – Asano converted.
For the European team, they hit their penalties Vlasic, Brozovic and Pasalic – Livaja sent the crossbar.
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