After a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time, Croatia would win 3-1 on penalties today at the Al-Janoub stadium in Al-Wakrah, Qatar.
This is the first match of the 2022 World Cup that has gone all the way to a penalty shootout. The game ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda for Japan in the 43rd minute, and Ivan Perišić for Croatia in the 55th minute.
It was a closely contested game with both teams creating chances that lead to last-second saves all the way through extra time. Both teams would make subs in extra time so that they were in better shape in case it did go to a shootout.
Croatia’s approach was a gamble but worked out in the end. In the middle of extra time, coach Zlatko Dalić decided to sub out both of his star players, Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić.
Now, most people would have seen this as a bad call because they are the stars and exactly the two you would want to take your penalties. However, Dalić knew better. Dalić knew that both players are too important to risk getting injured and he would need them in their next game if they were to advance. He was confident that those on the field could take the penalties, and he was correct, as Croatia won 3-1 from the spot.
The best player would have to be Croatian keeper Dominik Livaković. He kept Croatia alive during the game and had an impressive three saves during the shootout.
As a result, Croatia is now onto the Quarterfinals where they will play the winner of the Brazil vs. Korea Republic match that will take place this afternoon at 2 pm EST.
Photo: Dominik Livaković – Shutterstock – User: Alizada Studios – ID: 2191272625
