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The epic of Japan stops in the round of 16 for the fourth time in their history. After the penalty shootout, the Japanese lost to Croatia (1-1, 1-3 on pens). The Croats will face the winner of Brazil-Croatia.
After England yesterday, it was Croatia’s turn on Monday December 5 to shatter a dream. The Croats overcame the valiant “Samurai Blue” from Japan, who fell arms in hand at the end of the penalty shootout (1-1, 1-3 on pens).
Japan open the scoring
The Japanese had not yet trembled to win a historic place in the quarterfinals. The Japanese enter the game better, more aggressive and determined than the Croats. Taniguchi headed a warning shot that fled the frame (3e). Ivan Perisic responds with a curling shot that Gonda intercepts (7e).
The beginning of a beautiful Japanese domination, under the songs of its public, which never ceased to give voice during the 90 minutes. Ito and Nagatomo make their Croatian counterparts dizzy on their sides. The centers multiply but the Croatian block is in place and patiently leaves the game to their opponents. However, the expectation is not passive: the Europeans are pressing their opponents, who are struggling to find a recovery circuit. It must be said that the Japanese are more used to playing without the ball than with it: during the group stage, they posted an average possession of 32.3%, one of the lowest totals.
Inevitably, Croatia ends up bringing danger in front of the Japanese goal. After a high recovery, Barisic places a cross from the left side. Perisic extends with a header at the near post, then Kramaric is countered in extremis by the Japanese defense when he was about to resume at the far post (28e).
For the “Samurai Blue”, the solution finally comes from a set piece. On their fifth corner of the game, they try a fourth different combination. This opens the Croatian safe. Played in three stages, Doan’s cross finds Yoshida, who returns to Maeda, who shoots Livakovic at close range (43e1-0).
Record the perisic
Croatia reacts as soon as the locker room returns. On a perfect cross from Lovren, Perisic beats Ito and Tomiyasu to adjust a superb cross header. Gonda is beaten on his left (55e, 1-1). The tenth achievement of the Croatian in a major tournament (Euro + World), which makes him the top scorer in the history of the Croatian selection in this category.
Luka Modric fails to give his side the advantage but Gonda says no (62e). Hajime Moriyasu multiplies the substitutions, aware that the strength of his team also comes from his bench: 75% of the goals in the first round were scored by the substitutes. Under the impetus of Asano, Mitoma and Sakai, the Blues regain their colors but without finding the fault in regulation time.
Croatia having experienced seven extensions in its last eight major competition matches – only the final against France was an exception – it is logical that the honor should go to it for the first in this World Cup-2022. Japan starts hostilities from a corner. Taniguchi’s uncrossed header escapes the frame (92e). The Japanese unite to intervene on the Croatian strikes (100e) in a game chopped up by the multiple faults whistled by the referee.
Japan lay siege to Livakovic’s cage, who proved to be impeccable in fending off Mitoma’s heavy strike (105e). But the two teams end up deciding on penalties. And in this little risky game, it is finally Croatia that comes out the best, even in front of excited Japanese supporters. Japan missed three of their four shots on goal and scuttled themselves on their own as they entered their first ever quarter-final.
The adventure therefore ends there for the brave Japanese, who have won the sympathy of the public in Qatar. As for Croatia, its eleven full of experience without necessarily shining since the World Cup is among the eight best selections. However, she will have to raise her level of play if she wants to repeat her feat in the 2018 final. And first against the winner of Brazil-South Korea on Friday.
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