DPA
Al Wakrah
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three of four penalties in a dramatic shoot-out as the 2018 finalists ended Japan's stunning run at the Qatar World Cup on Monday 3-1 for a place in the quarter-finals.
Livakovic saved the first two spot kicks from Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma, and, after being beaten by Takuma Asano, also from captain Maya Yoshida.
That allowed Mario Pasalic to clinch matters for Croatia and break Japan's hearts, after Nikola Vlasic and Marcelo Brozovic converted while Marko Livaja was denied by the left post.
The score was locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes in the first game at the tournament that went beyond 90 minutes.
Japan led from Daizen Maeda shortly before half-time as the Samurai Blue seemed on course towards another shock after beating former champions Germany and Spain 2-1 in the group stage, but Ivan Perisic headed a 55th-minute equalizer.
Croatia reached the last eight for the third time after 1998 and 2018, and on Friday they will face either record five-time champions Brazil or South Korea, who meet later Monday.
They had needed extra-time in all three knock-out games en route to the 2018 final which they then lost 4-2 against France in 90 minutes, and even penalties in two of them.
"They had taken strong penalties but we analysed that beforehand. It wasn't perfect penalties, and I was able to save them well," man-of-the match Livakovic said.
The Dinamo Zagreb player became the third goalkeeper to make three saves in a World Cup shoot-out, joining Portugal's Ricardo in 2006 against England and countryman Danijel Subasic 2018 against Denmark.
Japan meanwhile missed a first-ever quarter-final berth for the third time, having also lost on penalties against Paraguay in 2010, and 3-2 in stoppage time against Belgium in 2018 after leading 2-0.
"We have given everything throughout this tournament and had great results, coming back against Spain and Germany. I am proud of my team, proud of my team-mates," Yoshida told beIN Sport.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic had to replace the ill full back Borna Sosa with Borna Barisic. Japan helmsman Hajime Moriyasu made three changes, including fieling Freiburg's Ritsu Doan who had scored against Germany and Spain after coming on but not in the 1-0 defeat against Costa Rica when he was a starter.
The Samurai Blue started brightly and almost snatched a third-minute lead but defender Shogo Taniguchi headed wide when he should have done better of Wataru Endo's cross.
Five minutes later Perisic dispossessed Takehiro Tomiyasu with the help of a little shove but then failed to beat goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda from a tight left angle.
But Japan were livelier and Daichi Kamada should have scored in the 40th when he instead completely fluffed his shot high and wide.
Japan were finally awarded for their efforts in the the 43rd when the ball fell to Celtic's Maeda to smash home in a scramble after a corner kick.
But Croatia were level out of the blue in the 55th when Perisic headed Dejan Lovren's cross into the bottom right corner from some 13 metres out.
The goal gave them confidence against a now more cautious opponent as substitute Ante Budimir headed wide and Perisic also missed the target.
But Japan also had one last chance before extra-time when Tomiyasu should have shot instead of trying to pass with only Livakovic to beat.
The added 30 minutes saw no telling chance apart from Kaoru Mitoma's shot right at Livakovic while Croatian substitute Lovro Majer aimed wide with seconds left as the affair went to the deciding shoot-out where Japan finally ran out of luck.
"It is tough but I am really proud of what we've done. And I've really enjoyed this tournament," Yoshida said.
# Notebook ## Note to editors - adds details, quotes, byline ## Locations - [Al Janoub Stadium](, Al Wukair, Katar) * * * * The following information is not intended for publication ## Editorial contacts - Reporting by: Carsten Lappe and Patrick Reichardt in Al Wakrah, John Bagratuni in Berlin - Editing by: John Bagratuni, dpa lap pre bag naj