After a thriller, Croatia has reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. The 2018 runner-up won the round of 16 against Japan 3-1 (1-1, 1-1, 0-1) on penalties.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three attempts by Japan at the Al-Dzhanub stadium in Al-Wakrah, Mario Pasalic converted the last penalty for Croatia.

During regulation time, Daizen Maeda (44th minute) scored for Japan, who conquered Germany, and former Bundesliga professional Ivan Perisic (55th) for Croatia. In the round of the top eight teams, the team around superstar Luka Modric meets the winner of the round of 16 between Brazil and South Korea.