Dominik Livakovic produced three saves in the penalty shootout as Croatia edged past Japan to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Daizen Maeda had put Japan in front in the first-half, before Ivan Perisic equalised to send the match to an extra 30 minutes, where neither side could then find a winner.
A succession of tame penalties came from Japan, Livakovic saving three of the four he faced, before Mario Pasalic stepped up to dispatch the winning penalty and win the shootout 3-1. Croatia, beaten finalists in Russia four years ago, will face either Brazil or South Korea in the last-eight, while Japan’s wait for a first World Cup quarter-final appearance goes on.
Japan were much the better side in the first-half, Croatia struggling to cope with their energy, and got their reward two minutes before the break. A well-worked corner fell for Maeda in the six-yard box and he fired it home as Japan scored the opening goal for the first time in the tournament.
The experience of Croatia gradually began to show in the second period, and they drew level when Dejan Lovren whipped in a superb cross and Perisic produced an equally impressive header that was powered into the bottom corner.
With so much at stake, it was no surprise that both sides opted for a more cautious approach as the match went on, Croatia going to extra-time for the fourth time in their last five knockout matches at the World Cup.
Kaoru Mitoma went closest in the 30 minutes that followed, driving forward before letting fly from the edge of the box. That effort was saved though and very little in the way of clear-cut chances came before the referee blew to send it to penalties.
Japan made the worst possible start, first Takumi Minamino and then Mitoma seeing their spot-kicks, both lacking in real conviction saved.
Marko Livaja gave Japan hope when he then strolled up and clipped the ball without a care in the world against the outside of the post, his minimalist approach to penalties very much back-firing.
But Japan could not take advantage, captain Maya Yoshida having his effort saved before Pasalic then won it for Croatia.
