FIFA World Cup 2018 Runners-Up Croatia took on giant-killer Japan in the pre-quarterfinals on Monday.

The match ended with heart-break for Japan as they took the lead for the first time in their campaign but could not hold on to the lead and eventually lost on penalties against Croatia.

Japan, who were looking to enter the quarterfinals of FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history entered the match in good form and high expectations having beaten Germany and Spain in the group stages.

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The first half was pretty even with both teams cautious and unwilling to play a high pressing game.

In the 7th minute, Croatia legend Ivan Perisic collected a ball from a Japanese defensive error. With plenty of time, Perisic took the shot from a very tight angle. However, his powerful shot from close range was blocked by the Japanese keeper Gonda.

Japan had some good play in the right flank with forward Doan and midfielder Ito troubling the Croatians with their speed and agility.

Japan took the lead when forward Ritsu Doan delivered a swinging cross in the 43rd minute which could not be dealt with by the Croatian defence. The ball was miscued by Japan defender Yoshida and went to their striker Daizen Maeda, who scored his first goal of Qatar 2022.

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Japan had a 1-0 lead going into the half time.

An industrious Luka Modric marshalled the defensive formation and also the thrust forward, as Croatia looks for the equalizer.

Perisic found the goal Croatia were looking for in the 55th minute when he rose high to thump in a powerful perfectly placed header to the far corner beyond the reach of Japanese keeper Gonda diving in full stretch to his left.

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Japan nearly got the lead back when Japan midfielder Wataru Endo released a powerful shot but it was tipped over by Croatia keeper Livakovic.

Croatia began to play more fluently after the equalizer.

They tried to take advantage of their forwards’ height advantage by sending in long crosses into the Japanese penalty area.

Perisic had a good go at the Japanese goal in the 77th minute when he collected a loose ball from the Japanese and sent a left footed shot on target. Tomiyasu made a critical intervention as his outstretched leg deflected the shot out. In the resulting play from the corner kick, Doan made another critical touch to prevent Petkovic from taking a shot from close range.

Regulation time ended square at one goal each.

Extra time yielded very few openings as both teams were cautious not to concede.

Mitoma, who came in as a substitute had a brilliant solo run starting from Japan’s half to the Croatian penalty area in the 104th minute. However, his final shot of goal went straight to the Croatian keeper for a regulation save.

Croatian Substitute Lovro Majer got a good opening in the last minute of extra time inside the penalty box but his left footed shot went wide of the right post.

With the score even at 1-1 after 30 minutes of added time, the match went into penalties.

Japan was first to take the spot kick.

Minamino had his weak shot to the left saved by Croatian keeper Livakovic, while Vlasic scored with a powerful shot to the right as Croatia took the lead.

Livakovic saved Japan’s second penalty by getting a strong hand to block Mitoma’s low shot to the right. Croatia’s second penalty was scored by Brozovic who sent the shot high and straight down the middle as Croatia took a commanding 2-0 lead.

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Asano pulled one back for Japan by sending the ball to the right, while Livaja’s shot hit the right post as Japan made a comeback trailing 1-2 with two shots each to go.

Japan’s comeback was short-lived as Yoshida’s kick to the right was saved by Livakovic, while Pasalic sent his shot to the right corner as Croatia pulled off the penalty shoot out with a 3-1 win with one shot each remaining.

Croatian Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero for Croatia as he made a hattrick of saves in the shootout.

Croatia entered the quarterfinals and will play the winner of Brazil-South Korea match.