Croatia made it through to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup after defeating Japan on penalties in a close last 16 encounter thanks to three penalty saves by Dominik Livakovic. The scores were tied at 1-1 through 120 minutes but Japan couldn’t hold their nerve in the shootout as they suffered defeat, scoring just one out of their four penalties in Al Wakrah. Six out of the last seven knockout games for Croatia at both the Euros and World Cup have reached extra time and they found success once more here in a tough battle against an impressive Japan side. So, here’s our Croatia player ratings for their narrow victory over Japan.
Croatia (4-3-3):
Dominik Livakovic – 8
Made a couple of decent saves throughout but many were expected to be stopped. Managed to stop three of Japan’s penalties to help put Croatia through to the quarter-finals.
Josip Juranovic – 6.5
Couple of good defensive clearances and played a decent ball into Mario Pasalic in the second half.
Dejan Lovren – 7.5
Didn’t do much in the first half but put in a fantastic cross for Ivan Perisic early on in the second half for the equalizer. Made a large amount of clearances and was fairly solid defensively throughout.
Josko Gvardiol – 8
Just about did enough to stop Daizen Maeda from getting on the end of a good ball into the box by Nagatomo in the first half. Couple of good challenges made from the back, pushing up into the midfield but was a little rash at points. Looked more composed in the second half and was solid defensively throughout.
Borna Barisic – 6
Struggled a little up against the pace of Junya Ito down the right-hand side for Japan but improved as the game went on.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
Non-existent in the first half and didn’t do enough from the midfield. Booked late on for a poor challenge on Ito. Won a few tackles and was accurate with his passing for the most part.
Marcelo Brozovic – 7.5
Accurate in possession but was late on a challenge on Wataru Endo in the second half. Improved in the second half and did create some chances for Croatia.
Luka Modric – 6.5
Played a couple of nice balls but didn’t influence the match as much as he could have in the first half and was also dispossessed a couple of times. Should have done better in the press too to close down Ritsu Doan in the lead up to the opening goal. Forced a decent save by Gonda in the second half with a fine strike on goal and improved after the break but wasn’t the best of performances here by the veteran.
Andrej Kramaric – 5
Struggled to impose himself on the match before being benched in the second half.
Bruno Petkovic – 5.5
Selected to give Croatia more of a focal point going forward but wasn’t given much service. Should have done better after receiving the ball in behind the Japan defense after around 25 minutes and could have picked out Kramaric who was free in the centre.
Ivan Perisic – 8
Won the ball back after a mistake by Takehiro Tomiyasu and did get a shot on target but it was at a tight angle. However, did manage to draw the scores level with a brilliant header, scoring his tenth goal at a major tournament for Croatia. Croatia’s best attacking outlet.
Substitutions
Ante Budimir – 3
Won a couple of aerial duels when he came on but really struggled to impact the game. Benched again for Marko Livaja in extra time.
Mario Pasalic – 6.5
Put himself about when he came on and managed to win a solid number of his duels. Scored the winning penalty to put Croatia through to the quarter-finals.
Lovro Majer – N/A
Nikola Vlasic – N/A