Croatia's Dominik Livakovic saves a penalty missed by Japan's Takumi Minamino during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match at the Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar, on December 5, 2022. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Doha: Dominik Livakovic made three penalty shootout saves as Croatia beat Japan 3-1 on penalties in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after playing out a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.
Mario Pasalic tucked his penalty away in the corner to send the 2018 finalists to the next stage. Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and veteran Maya Yoshida all had their spot kick saved as Japan’s dream to qualify for a first quarter-final in the country’s history came crashing despite a spirited performance in Qatar. They had beaten Germany and Spain in the group stage.
Croatia will now await the winner of the match between Brazil and South Korea later tonight.
