Last Monday, Croatia secured qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup by beating Japan in the penalty shoot-out (3-1), after a 1-1 draw in regular time and extra time.
In a game played with high intensity, the Japanese took the lead with a beautiful goal from Daizen Maeda, a striker who had played for Marítimo for two years, who responded to a corner kick from Maya Yoshida.
MAEDA! Japan surprises and opens the score ⁰
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Trailing at half time, the Croats went full steam ahead in the second half to try to turn the score around, with Ivan Perisic equalizing with a fine header from a cross from centre-back Dejan Lovren.
Perišić says gift and puts Croatia back in the game ⁰
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– SPORTTV (@SPORTTVPortugal) December 5, 2022
Despite several missed opportunities by both teams, the game ended in extra time – the first of the 2022 World Cup – where the tie was ultimately not broken.
In the penalty shootout the Croatians were stronger, they won 3-1, with goalkeeper Livakovic as hero by saving three penalties.
SEE GAME STATISTICS HERE
Source: DN
