Dominik Livakovic is the new hero of the Croatian national football team. The goalkeeper makes Japan despair in the first penalty shoot-out of the World Cup. The vice world champion is in the quarterfinals, the DFB conqueror is out.
Luka Modric trembled, he tore his hair – but then he raised his fists and, like all his teammates, stormed towards goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. In the first penalty thriller of the World Cup, the “witch” between the posts disenchanted Japan and paved the rocky road for the Croatian veterans to the quarter-finals. Modric kissed the head and Ivan Perisic kissed the left cheek.
Livakovic saved three penalties, the duels from the point ended 3-1. “It’s more instinct and an analysis of the shooters,” said the 27-year-old from Dinamo Zagreb. “That’s all. Penalties are always uncertain and risky.” The Japanese attempts? “They weren’t hard to hold, but they shot hard.”
Among the inconsolable Japanese, Schalke 04 captain Maya Yoshida was denied by the Dinamo Zagreb keeper. Vice world champions Croatia had come back with a show of strength against the strong Japanese – after 90 and 120 minutes it was 1-1. Opponents of the “checkered” are Brazil or South Korea on Friday.
The Croatians are in the knockout stages of a World Cup for the third time in Qatar: they finished third in 1998, second in 2018 – and in 2022? Although their performances are not yet world champions, coach Zlatko Dalic and his experienced playmaker Modric lead an experienced, strong and tough team that is very difficult to throw off track.
The reaction to the goal by Daizen Maeda, who gave the Japanese a 1-0 lead for the first time in the tournament (44th), also proved this at the Al-Janoub Stadium. It was also the first Japanese goal at this World Cup before the half-time break. Croatia seemed to be slipping away from the long-low game in front of 42,523 fans at Al-Wakrah after that, with more attacking power warming up when Dejan Lovren smashed a wonderful ball into the box. The busy Perisic, once at Bayern Munich, headed into the far corner in an exemplary manner (55th). Livakovic saved on penalties against Schalke 04’s Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida.
The Croatians were warned about the Blue Samurai, no question. “They are confident,” claimed Dalic, “they beat Spain, they beat Germany.” Of course, Croatia was also aware of its strengths. “In 2018 we showed that dreams can come true,” said Dalic. And so a very balanced encounter developed between two teams who believed in their route.
Croatia kept possession and tried to get close to the Japanese goal with combination football. That was handsome and always caused danger. The good Perisic and Andrej Kramaric from TSG Hoffenheim had the chance to take the lead early on (8′). A good 20 minutes later, Kramaric failed to get a cross that Borna Barisic, who had been called up for the injured Borna Sosa, had punched in and Perisic extended (28′).
As expected, the Japanese relied on stable defense and quick transitions, but in the meantime they also tried to calm the game down. They also had good opportunities – but the lead came from a rehearsed, short-shot corner kick: Freiburg’s Ritsu Doan hit the ball inside, the Croatians lost their bearings temporarily, Maeda, striker from Celtic Glasgow, switched the fastest in the fray.
The hit played into the hands of the Japanese. Or so it seemed. The Croatians looked a bit sluggish, a bit unimaginative – but they equalized: Lovren crossed towards the penalty spot, which the unguarded Perisic headed. After that, Croatia tried to decide the game before extra time, which failed. Modric lasted 98 minutes. Japan continued to fight exemplary, but both teams shied away from the final risk. Mitoma (105th) still had the best chance.