Internationals - Ivan on target as Croatia move into World Cup quarter-finals
Mon 05 December 2022, 18:10|
Tottenham Hotspur
Ivan Perisic scored a vital equaliser for Croatia as they came from behind to beat Japan on penalties in their Round of 16 tie in Qatar on Monday afternoon.
Japan took the lead just before half-time through Daizen Maeda but Ivan levelled for Croatia 10 minutes into the second half with a bullet header from Dejan Lovren's cross.
It ended 1-1 at full-time and the scoreline stayed that way after extra-time - goalkeepers Dominik Livakovic and Shuichi Gonda made one key save each - so the game went to a shoot-out. Ivan was substituted at half-time of extra-time, so wasn't available to take a penalty, but Livakovic made sure Croatia were always in control by saving Japan's first two penalties. He saved a third, as well, as Croatia took the shoot-out 3-1.
That means Ivan joins Spurs team-mates Cuti Romero, Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Hugo Lloris in the quarter-finals - Croatia will face the winners of Richarlison's Brazil against Heung-Min Son's Korea this evening (7pm).
Deki gives his verdict on Brazil-Korea
Dejan Kulusevski knows Richy and Sonny inside-out - read his verdict on this evening's Round of 16 tie by following the link below...
