Japan vs Croatia 1-3 penalties: World Cup 2022 – as it happened
All the updates from the World Cup 2022 round of 16 match between Japan and Croatia at Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the World Cup 2022 match between Japan and Croatia on Monday, December 5.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the World Cup 2022 match between Japan and Croatia on Monday, December 5.
- Croatia beat Japan 3-1 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
- Japan XI: Shuichi Gonda, Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Maya Yoshida, Yuto Nagatomo (Kaoru Mitoma, 64′), Hidemasa Morita (Ao Tanaka, 105′), Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada (Hiroki Sakai, 74′), Ritsu Doan (Takumi Minamino, 87′), Daizen Maeda (Takuma Asano, 64′).
- Croatia XI: Dominik Livakovic, Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiola, Borna Sosa, Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric (Lovro Majer, 99′), Mateo Kovacic (Vlasic, 99′), Ivan Perisic (Mislav Orsic, 105′), Bruno Petkovic (Ante Budimir, 62′, Marko Livaja, 105′), Andrej Kramaric (Mario Pasalic, 68′).
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s all from this game
Phew, what drama in the first game of the day.
We now turn our attention to Brazil’s round of 16 clash against South Korea. You can find the live blog for that game here.
‘Incredible win,’ Croatia supporter says
Croatia fan Matija Oliver says he’s elated his team snatched victory from Japan but it was a “very stressful” match.
“You can’t ask for a more tense game,” the 28-year-old civil engineer who lives in Saudi Arabia told Al Jazeera after watching the match from the stands in Qatar.
“I hope they build our goalie a statue back in Croatia,” he said, calling Japan “unlucky” and “worthy opponents”.
Croatia’s World Cup penalty record
Croatia have won 3 of their last 5 World Cup knockout games on penalties:
🅿️ vs. Denmark 2018
🅿️ vs. Russia 2018
✅ vs. England 2018
❌ vs. France 2018
🅿️ vs. Japan 2022Only the Final against France didn’t go to extra-time.🤯 pic.twitter.com/j8AzbMEwAG
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 5, 2022
Croatia fans enjoy the moment
Hundreds of Croatian fans are staying back looking to enjoy the music here at the FIFA stage. Everyone has their cameras out as they take selfies and videos to remember the moment.
Japanese fans understandably look heartbroken, but some have joined the Croatians to congratulate them.
‘Painful loss’: Japanese fan
Gaassy Hiromo, 37 and from Osaka, said it was “very hard” losing the game on penalties.
“It is a painful loss … I know we are not the better team … but I had hope … losing on penalties is very hard,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said it was a “great game”.
“The Japan team made mistakes but they play with all their heart,” he said.
Croatia could have done better, fan says
Jasinko Klauzlicer said that while he is relieved and “super happy” about Croatia moving onto the next stage, he thought his team could have played a lot better.
“We really played horrible at times,” the 34-year old told Al Jazeera. “… This was Japan. … Next we will face a much harder team.”
“I’m satisfied for now, … but the coach needs to ask more from his players, … including Modric.”
It means a lot to Croatia
They have now lost just once in their last 20 games. They will fancy going all the way, though strong tests await.
Croatian fans ecstatic
Deafening chants from the Croatian fans as they celebrate a hard-fought victory.
In the Japanese camp, the drums have finally stopped beating. Their fans look stunned, with some in tears as friends and family console them.
Plenty of positives for Japan
Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan side proved that they are a rising force in football. They gained group-stage victories over Spain and Germany before taking 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia to the lottery of penalties.
The Samurai Blue can leave Qatar with their heads held high. With some work over the next World Cup cycle, they can be a serious force in North America in the 2026 World Cup.
Croatia live on, last 16 proves Japan’s limit again
Croatia are through to the quarter-finals, while Japan are heading home.
Modric’s dream of winning the World Cup lives another day.
Heartbreak for Japan
Croatia hold their nerve and win the penalty shootout 3-1. What a finish. You have to feel for the Japanese, however. They’ve had an exceptional run in this World Cup.
CROATIA WIN!
Croatia are through to the quarter-finals.
Read the full match report here.
Livakovic producing heroics for Croatia
He has been brilliant for Croatia, saving three penalties.
GOAL!
Pasalic scores to send Croatia through!
Penalties: Japan 1-3 Croatia
MISS!
Yoshida misses for Japan.
Penalties: Japan 1-2 Croatia
MISS!
Livaja hits the post and misses for Croatia.
Penalties: Japan 1-2 Croatia
GOAL!
Asano scores.
Penalties: Japan 1-2 Croatia
GOAL!
Brozovic scores.
Penalties: Japan 0-2 Croatia
MISS!
Mitoma misses.
Penalties: Japan 0-1 Croatia
GOAL!
Vlasic scores!
Penalties: Japan 0-1 Croatia
Japan penalty saved!
Minamino’s penalty is saved.
Penalties: Japan 0-0 Croatia
The pressure is getting to some
Some people in the crowd look like they won’t be able to handle this game anymore.
Fans are trying to keep themselves calm – taking deep breaths or saying a prayer – hoping their team makes it to the quarter-finals.
The drummers on the Japanese side – the loudest people of the evening – are relentless and have not stopped for a second with supporters nearby clapping in unison to help boost morale.
Will Gonda or Livakovic be the hero?
Penalties it is.
Goalkeepers Livakovic of Croatia and Gonda of Japan now have a chance to establish themselves as national heroes. The World Cup hopes of their nations rest on them now.
It’s time for penalties
Japan will be shooting first.
Penalties it is!
Extra time ends scoreless. It’s time for a shootout.
ET FT: Japan 1-1 Croatia