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Croatia beat Japan on penalties to book its place in the last eight of the World Cup on Monday.
Croatian goalkeeper Livakovic kept out the first two efforts before stopping Maya Yoshida’s kick, then Mario Pasalic converted the vital effort to take his side through.
The World Cup last-16 match between Japan and Croatia went to shootout with the scores level at 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes, after Ivan Perisic’s brilliant goal cancelled out Daizen Maeda’s opener for Japan.
Maeda had given Japan the lead in the 43rd minute, firing home from close range after Ritsu Doan delivered an in-swinging cross into the penalty area.
Croatia levelled in the second half courtesy of Ivan Perisic’s brilliant bullet header from Dejan Lovren’s cross, becoming his country’s all-time leading scorer at major tournaments with 10 goals.
Neither side could find a breakthrough and the game ticked into the additional 30 minutes, with Brighton midfielder Kaoru Mitoma’s spectacular strike pushed over by Livakovic.
Zlatko Dalic’s side, beaten in the final by France four years ago, will face tournament favorites Brazil or South Korea in the next round on Friday (15:00 GMT).
