By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Croatia reached the World Cup quarter-finals after beating Japan 3-1 on penalties on Monday night.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made three saves during the shootout after the game ended in a 1-1 draw following 120 minutes of thrilling football action.
Daizen Maeda opened scoring for Japan three minutes before the half-time break.
Croatia rallied back after the break courtesy of Ivan Perisic’s powerful header.
There was little to choose between the two sides during extra-time
Three of Japan’s penalties were poorly taken and easily saved by goalkeeper Livakovic.
Croatia missed just one of their spot-kicks, scoring the other three to reach their third successive quarter-final stage.
Croatia’s win now sets up a quarter-final meeting with Brazil or South Korea on Friday.
