7 Out of 8 Recent World Cup and European Championship Tournament Matches Decided in Overtime
Goalkeeper Livakovic (left), who led Croatia to victory, and the celebrating Pasalic. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Seomibeum] Croatia advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Japan in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup. True to their nickname as "penalty shootout specialists," they once again engaged in a fierce penalty shootout battle to secure the victory.
On the 6th (Korean time), Croatia played against Japan at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, Qatar, in the Round of 16. After a 1-1 draw in the regular 90 minutes, the match went scoreless through the 30 minutes of extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. This was the first extra-time penalty shootout of the tournament.
The penalty shootout ended with a 3-1 victory for Croatia. Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovi? made miraculous saves by blocking all shots from Japan's 1st, 2nd, and 4th kickers?Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma, and Maya Yoshida?securing the win. Except for Marko Livaja's shot that hit the post and bounced out, Nikola Vla?i?, Marcelo Brozovi?, and Mario Pa?ali? all successfully converted their shots.
Extra time and penalty shootouts have frequently appeared in matches involving Croatia. Of the last eight World Cup and European Championship knockout games, seven went into extra time. During the 2018 Russia World Cup, Croatia drew 1-1 with Denmark in the Round of 16 and won 3-2 in the penalty shootout. They also drew 2-2 with Russia in the quarterfinals and won 4-3 in the shootout, and defeated England 2-1 in extra time in the semifinals.
The situation was similar in the European Championship. In the 2008 European Championship quarterfinals, Croatia lost 1-3 to T?rkiye in a penalty shootout. In the 2016 European Championship Round of 16 against Portugal, they lost 0-1 in extra time. Last year, in the 2022 European Championship Round of 16 against Spain, they were defeated 3-5 in extra time.
During this period, the only knockout match in the World Cup or European Championship where Croatia did not go into extra time was the 2018 Russia World Cup final against France, where they lost 2-4.
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