Doha, December 05 (QNA) - Croatia beat Japan today on penalties (3-1) to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made himself a national hero after he saved three of Japan's four penalties. Mario Pasalic struck the decisive spot-kick to send his side into the next round.

Japan scored first for once, in the waning minutes of the first half. In the 43rd minute, Japanese forward Daizen Maeda left-footed a point blank shot past Livakovic for the score. It was only Maeda's second goal in international tournament.

Then 10 minutes into the second half, Croatia evened the score. Forward Ivan Perisic took a long pass over the top from the right side and beautifully headed in the ball past Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.

Japan was bidding to reach the men's quarterfinals stage for the first time in its history, having been knocked out of the last 16 in 2002, 2010, 2018 and now 2022.

Croatia will face either Brazil or South Korea in the last eight and continued midfield icon Luka Modric's stay at his fourth and likely final World Cup.

(QNA)