However, Croatia are the seasoned veterans, with a midfield of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic and the versatile Ivan Perisic patrolling the flanks, meaning they are unlikely to feature in the round of 16. Coach Zlatko Dalic says the country his continues to punch above its weight and a place in the last eight would be just their third in history. The winner will face the winner between Brazil and South Korea, who play later today in Doha. Follow the game LIVE below with our exclusive match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at Al Janoub Stadium.
Japan vs Croatia latest news
Show latest updates 1670261816 Lovren and Yoshida do the coin flip. Something went wrong if any of these are required, you should say… It looks like Japan will take the first penalty. 1670261722 Perisic, Kovacic, Modric… all for Croatia. Imagine at least some of them would have scored a penalty. There were a lot of tired legs out there as the 120 minutes came to an end. They must gather now, everyone is coming to the spot. 1670261580
FT: Japan 1-1 Croatia
Let’s go to the penalty shootout! Majer had a chance to win it in the final seconds, but drags the shot wide. We get our first penalty of the tournament. 1670261506
Nizaar Kinsella at Al Janoub Stadium
Josko Gvardiol has proven that he is the real deal at this World Cup. Seeing him perform at this level and under this pressure will only increase Chelsea’s interest in him. Back in his native Croatia, he has become the big focus for a country that worryingly has few other youngsters of his caliber coming in to replace their aging stars. 1670261481 119 mins: Bodies fall to the ground in Japan’s box as the ball goes in, but there’s no real call for a penalty. It comes again, it falls to Vlasic. Barisic wants to find it again, out wide. Tanaka down after taking it to the face. 1670261371 117 mins: Not much pace in the match, these are really nervy moments. Three minutes away from the first penalty shootout of the World Cup. Both sides rely on crosses into the box, Croatia looking more dangerous when they do. 1670261241 115 mins: Minamino gets out of trouble, comes to Endo and works it out. Low cross into the box, not a good enough ball though and Croatia can clear. However, with Japan having one of their pressure spells, Croatia push back. Mitoma puts the ball back inside, very close to Livakovic. 1670261095 113 mins: Croatia are back in the long shot. He did once, twice, and almost bounces Gonda to get off his line and claim. He briefly looked dangerous there. 1670260984 111 mins: Mitoma is Japan’s biggest threat by a mile, they need to keep sending him out on the left. Croatia brought down their right, the cross was struck but headed wide. Ito is back to help but can only concede the corner. 1670260788 108 mins: Orsic and Livaja play for Perisic and Budimir, himself a second-half substitute. Not a great night for him. I feel like Croatia have sent off some of their best penalty takers…
