World Cup 2022 - last 16: Japan 1-1 Croatia (1-3 on penalties)

Japan’s dream-run at the Qatar World Cup has come to a bitter end, as they got beaten 3-1 by Croatia on penalties, following a 1-all draw after 120 minutes of play.

The Samurai Blue came into the match, full of confidence, after wins over Spain and Germany in the group stage. They grabbed the lead two minutes before the break through Daizen Maeda.

But Ivan Perisic headed home 10 minutes into the second half to pull the Croats level. The two sides could not be separated after 90 minutes, and also the extra-time.

Therefore, penalties were needed to find a winner. It was a nightmare of a shootout for Japan, who saw three of their spot-kicks saved by Dominik Liva-kovic.

Mario Pasalic slotted home the decisive penalty to send Croatia through to the last eight.

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