Croatia vs. Japan final score, result (World Cup 2022): The first penalty shootout sent Japan home.

Match summary

Following the statement of coach Hajime Moriyasu, Japan did not play defensively when entering the match against Croatia. Their high spirits helped them create many dangerous opportunities in the first half.

The result came late in the first half. In the 43^rd minute, striker Daizen Maeda arrived just in time after a mess from Ritsu Doan's cross, cushioning the ball with his left foot into the empty goal. After VAR confirmed that no Japanese player was offside, Moriyasu's players celebrated and entered the second half with great confidence.

Maeda (no.25) celebrated his goal with his teammates.

Germany and Spain could not score after being led by Japan, but Croatia was different, although the number of opportunities for coach Dalic’s squad was not too many. The usual composure helped the Balkan representative equalize in their first notable situation of the second half.

In the 55^th minute, from central defender Dejan Lovren's cross, Ivan Perisic headed in from the edge of the penalty area, driving the ball into the far corner to eliminate goalkeeper Gonda. This was Perisic's 10th goal at major tournaments and also his sixth at the World Cup, equalizing Davor Suker's record, who is president of the Croatian Football Federation.

Perisic's header helped Croatia hold on the hope of progressing.

After the equalizer, Croatia played with much more energy, in contrast to their slow and sluggish image in the first half. Japan somewhat flinched, but regained their focus to not concede the second goal.

From the 70th minute to the final whistle, both teams were on the verge of winning. Cautiousness prevailed for the remaining part of the second half as well as two extra times, as neither team played with a high formation to settle the game early. Croatia controlled more of the ball, while Japan relied more on the speed and dexterity of substitutes like Kaoru Mitoma or Takuma Asano. However, neither team created clear chances.

In the penalty shootout, Croatia's experience in the knockout rounds of the World Cup helps them prevent the Asian representative from creating a historic feat. The Croatian goalie, Dominik Livakovic, successfully blocked three shots from Minamino, Mitoma, and Yoshida, helping his nation have a sensational victory.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic successfully blocked 3 penalties from Japanese players. 

Final score

• JPN - D. Maeda (43')
• CRO - I. Perisic (55')

Squad

Japan (3-4-3): Gonda; Tomiyasu, Yoshida, Taniguchi; Ito, Morita (Tanaka 106'), Junya, Nagatomo (Mitoma 64'); Doan (Minamino 87'), Maeda (Asano 64'), Kamada (Sakai 75').

Croatia (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Barisic; Brozovic, Kovacic (Vlasic 99'), Modric (Majer 99'); Petkovic (Budimir 62', Livaja 106'), Kramaric (Pasalic 68'), Perisic (Orsic 106').

Highlights

With the triumph over Japan, the 2018 World Cup runner-up has won all the rounds of the 1/8 round that they have attended in World Cup history. They will encounter Brazil in the quarterfinals on December 9.