FIFA World Cup 2022: Dominic Livakovic turns hero as Croatia beat Japan 3-1 on penalties to seal a spot in quarter final

Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic turned hero for his side as he saved three penalties against Japan in the pre-quarter final clash of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at Al Janoub stadium on Monday. Image Courtesy: Twitter@FIFAWorldCup

Xtra Time Web Desk: Goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic turned hero for his side as Croatia beat Japan 3-1 on penalties to seal a spot in the last 8 stages of the FIFA World Cup 2022 at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday. Both sides were level 1-1 after extra time. Croatia will now take on Brazil in the quarter final on Friday.

Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead in the 43rd minute after some scrappy defending by the Croatian players. Ivan Perisic scored the equalizer for Croatia with a powerful header in the 55th minute.

It was a poor showing from Japan during the penalty shootout. Only Takuma Asano scored as Livakovic saved Minamino, Mitoma and Maya Yoshida’s spot kicks. Croatia’s Marko Livaja hit the post before Mario Pasalic scoring the winning penalty to see his team through.

Livakovic is the third goalkeeper to make three saves in a single World Cup penalty shootout after Portugal’s Ricardo in 2006 versus England and Croatia’s Danijel Subasic versus Denmark in 2018.

Croatia will now face Brazil in the quarter final on Friday.