Hope the lightning strikes the same place three times, giant killer Japan serve as heavyweight croatia in the past 16 2022 FIFA World Cup Monday (December 5).Japan close to extending their dream, but Dominic LivakovicA heroic penalty shootout kept them out of the last 16. At the end of regulation, Cocastees finished 1-1 and won the penalty shootout 3-1.
Samurai Blue got off to a strong start at the Al Janoub Stadium and came within a few minutes of scoring. Wataru Endo sent a provocative cross into the box, which was met by Shogo Taniguchi just six yards out. Unfortunately, the centre-back was unable to shoot the ball.
In the 9th minute, the right back Fukang Takehiro of the Japanese team passed the ball to the goalkeeper, allowing Ivan Perisic Steal it and try to score. Losers respond well to threats and eventually extinguish them. Four minutes later, Junya Ito provocatively crossed, and the Croatian team entered the penalty area. Daizen Maeda slid in for contact but ultimately failed to do so by the narrowest margin.
Japan beat the two World Cup winners of Spain and Germany while forcing Croatia to a penalty shootout 😮 They have so much to be proud of 🇯🇵❤️ https://t.co/BwetMTzura
In the 43rd minute, the Japanese team took the lead. Ritsu Doan sends an excellent corner into the box. Shinya Yoshida Wins the initial header and directs it into Maeda’s path. Celtic didn’t make a mistake by scoring the ball from close range.
After being in a slump for most of the first half, the Croatian finally counterattacked through Perisic in the 45th minute of the second half. Dejan Lovren With a cross from the right, Perisic scored with a header to equalize the score for the team.
In the 66th minute, Andrey Kramaric A provocative cross into the Japanese box for Ante Budimir. Shockingly, the substitute missed the target from close range. Both teams were invincible, and the game went into overtime.
In the 105th minute, Kaoru Minohe, who came off the bench, scored with a shot from outside the penalty area. Croatia goalkeeper Livakovic made a powerful save to prevent the underdogs from taking the lead.
Overtime ended, the score was 1-1, and the game entered a penalty shootout. Livakovic made three stunning saves from the penalty shoot-out to lead his side to the quarter-finals in Qatar. Here are five key takeaways from the nailers at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday:
#5 Japan got off to a strong start to the game
After victories over Germany and Spain, Japan are confidently off to a strong start in the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With their relentless pressing and quick counter-attacks, they overwhelmed the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalists.
Only three minutes into the game, Taniguchi had an excellent chance to score the first goal of the game. Had Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic managed to put his header on target, he would have been beaten. In the 13th minute, Ito Borna Borisic sent a threatening cross into the penalty area. Maeda failed to make contact on the narrowest margins. With luck, Japan could have scored twice in the opening 15 minutes.
#4 Wataru Endo in action for 2022 FIFA World Cup round of 16
Wataru Endo was arguably the best player on the court on Monday. He created opportunities at will, took advantage of his opportunities in one-on-one duels, and fulfilled his defensive responsibilities to make it difficult for opponents to continue.
Wataru Endo’s stats vs Croatia: 120 minutes played 89 touches 88% pass accuracy 6/7 ground duels won 5 clearances 4 key passes 2/3 long balls completed 2 big chances created he had nowhere not there. 💥 https://t.co/QsQyyh4iL4
Against Croatia, Endo led the game with four key passes, won six ground duels, created two chances to win and completed 60 accurate passes (88.2 percent accuracy). He also threw two accurate long balls, completed five clearances, blocked a shot, and attempted two tackles. Given the transformation he’s made, it’s disappointing to see him fall in the end.
#3 FIFA World Cup 2022 sees first penalty shootout
Both teams struggled to play meaningful football in the final third after Perisic canceled out Maeda’s opener. Vatreni mainly tried to bypass the opponent with long balls, but rarely let Gonda play.
Samurai Blue, on the other hand, either drilled crosses in the penalty area or tried to play from the middle. Neither option proved to be very effective, as the 2018 finalists coped with their attempts fairly easily.
3 – Dominic Livakovic of Croatia is the third person to take three penalties in a single World Cup penalty shootout after Ricciardo of Portugal against England in 2006 and Daniel Subasic of Croatia against Denmark in 2018 The goalkeeper who saves. hero. https://t.co/7BrtzYZbmM
With a 1-1 draw, the game went to extra time and a penalty shootout, with Croatia winning. Nikola Vlasic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mario Pasalic (the decisive kick) scored from the penalty spot, while Takuma Asano conceded Japan’s only successful penalty. Marko Livaja was the only Croatian to miss, while Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida had shots saved by Livakovic. It’s safe to say that Qatar’s first shootout was eventful.
It was Croatia’s third consecutive penalty shootout victory at the World Cup. Japan, on the other hand, lost on penalties for the second time in World Cup history.
#2 Luka Modric had a game to forget
Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric struggled against the Blue Warriors. He ran tirelessly, freeing himself time after time, but there was little to show for his effort. Apart from a perfect half-volley in the 63rd minute which was brilliantly saved by Shuichi Gonda, Modric had nothing to write home about.
Luka Modric and his boys after victory in Croatia ❤️ https://t.co/0VH18PNYGt
Modric failed to play any key passes on Monday night, losing eight of his 10 duels, losing possession 17 times and making four of his five crosses. The 37-year-old was also dribbled a few times before being substituted in the 99th minute.
#1 Ivan Perisic and Dominik Livakovic lead Croatia to quarterfinals
Ivan Perisic and Dominic Livakovic lead their teams to the quarter-finals by example. In the 55th minute, Perisic received a pass from Lovren and made a powerful header into the lower left corner of Gonda’s goal. Perisic also played key passes, winning five aerial duels with pinpoint crosses.
Livakovic, on the other hand, was the unabashed hero of the penalty shoot-out, making 3 stunning saves to help his side win the shootout 1-3. He dived to the left to stop Takumi Minamino’s shot. Next, San Fuzhen kicked to the left, and Livakovic guessed correctly again, and he made a stunning diving save to the right.
10 – Ivan Perisic has scored more World Cup and European Championship goals combined than any other Croatian player (10). trick. https://t.co/84zvxUtiD0
Livakovic’s third penalty save came from Maya Yoshida. The defender’s shot failed to find the left corner, which Livakovic saved easily. Livakovic made 3 saves and threw 8 accurate long balls (from the Open) before the penalty shootout.
