Japan vs Croatia summary: penalties, score, goals, highlights, Qatar World Cup 2022

WORLD CUP 2022

Argentina vs France live online: odds, lineups & predictions | World Cup 2022 final updates

We have live build-up and minute-by-minute commentary as Argentina face France in the 2022 World Cup final. Join AS USA's Joe Brennan for the pre-match news and all the action at Lusail Stadium.

WORLD CUP 2022

France vs Morocco live online: score, stats & updates | Qatar World Cup 2022

It's now Wednesday 14 December and in case you have landed on this older feed, allow us to point you towards the second semi-final of the 2022 World Cup, France vs Morocco to find out who will play Argentina in the showpiece final. 

Joe is the man in place with our live coverage to take you through all the build up ahead of the game, bringing you team news and various insights into the two sides.

And then from kick off he will carry you all the way to when the final whistle blows in Qatar. You'll not want to miss out!

WORLD CUP 2022

Argentina vs Croatia live online: score, stats & updates | Qatar World Cup 2022

It's now Tuesday 13 December and in case you have stumbled across this older feed, allow us to redirect you to the first semi-final of the 2022 World Cup, Argentina vs Croatia.

Joe is the man in place with our live coverage to take you through all the build up ahead of the game, bringing you team news and various insights into the two sides.

And then from kick off he will carry you all the way to when the final whistle blows and we have our first finalist in Qatar confirmed. You'll not want to miss out!

Three!

He stopped 75% of his penalties for Croatia against Japan. Superb!

Heartbreak for Japan

They have been brilliant and fought until the very end. Penalties can be cruel   ​​​​​​​

Croatia advance with Livakovic

Dominik Livakovic is only the third goalkeeper to make three saves in a single World Cup penalty shootout after Portugal’s Ricardo in 2006 against England and Croatia’s Danijel Subasic versus Denmark in 2018. (Opta)

Livakovic the hero

Livakovic saves three penalties!

Croatia vs Brazil or South Korea

Croatia are through but Japan have done themselves proud.

Croatia do it again! With a population of under four million. It's remarkable really.

Japan lose in the last 16 for the fourth time. They can't get beyond the last 16 and are going home.

Livakovic is the hero for Croatia, who win 3-1 on penalties. The shot-stopper saved three Japanese penalties.

The Croatia squad celebrate together and they will play Brazil or South Korea in the last eight.

It's heartbreaking for Japan. They have been sensational.

Croatia are through to the quarter-finals!

Livakovic saves it!

Yoshida MISSES!

Modric can't believe it!

Livaja hits the post!

Takuma Asano scores!

Croatia lead!

Brozovic scores! He sends it down the middle!

Livakovic saves again!

Mitoma MISSES!

Vlasic scores!

 Livakovic goes the right way and saves it.

Minamino MISSES!

 Minamino will take the first penalty.

Japan will take the first penalty.

Penalties. It's a dramatic way to win but it's a heartbreaking way to lose.

It's just gone past 2.30am in Japan. They won't be going to bed just yet!

We have penalties for the first time at the 2022 World Cup!

Well, what an opportunity that was for Croatia.

Majer couldn't hit the target. He was directly in front of goal, just outside the box, but he pulls it wide.

Full-time in extra time

And that's it!

We're going to penalties!

Majer!

What a chance!

But he drags his shot wide. He's 20 yards out in acres of space.

Barisic curls it in but it hits Tanaka in the head. He goes down. The medical team have come on.

Croatia have a throw-in near the corner flag.

Croatia send it into the box. Japan clear it!

We're edging towards penalties...

Barisic picks up a booking for fouling Ito. Those two have been in a battle for almost two hours!

Japan go up the other end. Livakovic is off his line to catch Mitoma's header.

Juranovic sends his throw into the box.

Gonda collects the header by Pasalic.

After this, we haveBrazil against South Korea.

Seven minutes to go...

That's good goalkeeping again by Gonda. He comes out and controls the cross.

Gonda punches Croatia's corner from the left away. 

There are just under 10 minutes left! I said that not so long ago but of course this is now extra time. The coaches will be already considering their penalty takers.

Majer is knocked over. Croatia have a free in their own half and are in no rush.

Perisic comes off. He has been brilliant and got that all-important equaliser. He was a constant threat on the left.

Double change for Croatia

OFF Ante Budimir
ON Marko Livaja

OFF Ivan Perisic
ON Mislav Orsic

Japan sub

OFF Hidemasa Morita

ON Ao Tanaka

We're underway again!

The players get the drinks in at half-time. 

We have another 15 minutes. And then penalties if we don't have a breakthrough. 

Half-time in extra time

It's 1-1 and we have a short break. The second half of extra time is coming right up.

There will be two minutes added on at the end of this first half of extra time.

Livakovic!

Japan go on the break through Mitoma​​​​​​​, who strikes it brilliantly but it's saved by Livakovic.

It's 3v3 on the counter attack. Mitoma can't find a corner but Livakovic does really well to keep it out. 

Japan have that speed on the counter.

There has been very little action in this first half of extra time.

There has been talk of Modric playing in the 2024 Euros. He'll be 39 then and I can definitely see him playing at that tournament. He's ultra-professional and looks after himself so well.

Juranovic goes long with the throw-in. It falls to Perisic, who has his shot from the edge of box blocked.

I'm quite surprised to see Modric and Kovacic go off. I know, I know, Modric is 37. But is he going to miss a penalty?

Croatia's fourth change

OFF Mateo Kovacic

ON Nikola Vlasic

Modric goes off

OFF Luka Modric

ON Lovro Majer

Croatia are about to make a double change.

There's a clash of heads between Tomiyasu and Pasalic. The medical team is on the pitch. Japan produce another short corner, straight off the training ground. Croatia defend it well. The two players are back on their feet.

I'm thinking back to that Perisic goal. It was a cracking header from about 14 yards out. Make sure to check it out. Croatia were much improved in the second half but Japan are still in this one.

They have a corner on the left. Ito takes it short...

Japan have made four changes already. Croatia have made just two and will have more options during this period of extra time.

Taniguchi heads Ito's corner from the right wide. 

It ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. They couldn't be separated.

Who will find the winner? Or are we heading for penalties?

Japan have us underway!

We're in extra time if you're just joining.

For the first time at the 2022 World Cup, we're going to extra time. ​​​​​​​

We have another 30 minutes of action ahead and possibly even penalties.

Don't go away!

FT: Japan 1-1 Croatia

There's the final whistle!

We have extra time!

It looks like they are happy now to go to extra time.

Minamino has it near the halfway line but is happy to go back to his defence. 

It's 1-1 and we're in stoppage time. Can one of these sides find a winner or are we going to extra time?

There will be four minutes added on!

Perisic stat

Ivan Perisic has scored more goals at World Cups and European Championships combined than any other Croatia player (10).

When the final whistle went at the Khalifa International Stadium, Japan celebrated like they won the World Cup when they beat Spain. Imagine they win today!

Pasalic!

He gets up highest to meet Perisic's cross but it flies wide. 

Japan 1-1 Croatia

Kovacic and Perisic link up on the right wing. It comes off Perisic and goes out for a goalkick to Japan.

Perisic, 33, has been very good today. 

Brozovic is fouled near the halfway line. Croatia have a free-kick.

We're into the final 10 minutes...

Japan have never played in the quarter-finals of a World Cup. Will today be their day?   ​​​​​​​

 Brozovic takes Endo out.

Japan have a free. It's quite far out. 

Croatia clear it away. 1-1

PERISIC!

He hits those so well. He runs at Tomiyasu, it's Spurs vs Arsenal...

Perisic's effort takes a touch off Tomiyasu.

Kamada impressed today but is taken off. He has scored six goals in 26 senior international appearances with Japan.

Japan change

OFF Daichi Kamada

ON Hiroki Sakai

Croatia send another ball into the box.

Pasalic heads it wide. 

Japan have failed to create anything of note in the last 10+ minutes.

Modric plays the corner short and Japan win it back. 

Nineteen of this 26-man Japan squad play their football in Europe, with eight of them based in Germany.

Only seven play in the J League.

It's 1-1 with just under 20 minutes remaining. 

The winner will play Brazil or South Korea, who play later today. The football just keeps on coming. 

Croatia are looking more confident at this crucial stage of the game. All Japan need is one chance, as we saw previously in the games against Germany and Spain. 

The former Chelsea player Pasalic comes on for Croatia. He currently plies his trade with Atalanta.

Kramaric goes off

OFF Andrej Kramaric

ON Mario Pasalic

Budimir!

He heads just wide as Kramaric's shot is deflected into his path. 1-1

The goalscorer Maeda is off for Japan. Mitoma has done his bit at this tournament already and will be looking to cause more havoc as Japan try to take the lead again. Extra time is possible here!

Double change for Japan

OFF Yuto Nagatomo
ON Kaoru Mitoma

OFF Daizen Maeda
ON Takuma Asano

MODRIC!

What a hit!

Gonda is at full stretch to push it over for a corner. It's going into the top corner. 

Zlatko Dalic sends on Osasuna striker Budimir for his first minutes at the World Cup. Petkovic was very quiet today.

Croatia change

OFF Bruno Petkovic

ON Ante Budimir

Doan shoots from 20 yards but falls after he connects with the ball.

It's an easy one for Livakovic.

Perisic now has six World Cup goals for Croatia.

Perisic scores

The Spurs man loves the big games.

ENDO!

Livakovic tips the effort over the bar.

Japan 1-1 Croatia

​​​​​​​Croatia are back in this one!

Lovren crosses from the right and Perisic heads home from 14 yards. It's a superb header!

Perisic is now Croatia's record goalscorer in major tournaments.

Japan have a corner.

Doan crosses the inswinger with his left. It's flicked into the box by Taniguchi. 

Croatia are able to deal with it. 

Petkovic's right-footed cross, 25 yards from goal, is straight at Gonda. Japan lead 1-0.

Endo is fouled by Perisiic. Japan have a free-kick on the right.

Croatia were quite cautious in the opening 45 minutes. They will need to up the ante to get back into this one.

I have no changes to report.

Japan have been a different team in the second halves of this tournament. Except this time they lead.

Kamada!

He hits it really well but it flies over the bar from about 25 yards.

Japan get us underway again!

They're leading 1-0

The players are coming back out for the second half.

Maeda puts Japan in front

The Celtic man has scored a vital first-half goal. It had been coming.

They've beaten Germany, they've beaten Spain, and they're beating Croatia. They fully deserve it. It's going to be a big second half. Croatia have struggled in the first half. 

HT: Japan 1-0 Croatia

Could Japan be about to cause another upset?

They lead at the break!

Croatia work it short and it's put into the box. And there's the whistle for half-time.

Croatia have a corner before half-time. Modric will take it.

There will be two minutes added on!

Japan take the lead!

Japan 1-0 Croatia

It's a really well-worked corner. Doan eventually crosses it from the right. It's nodded down into the path of Maeda, who bundles it home form close range.

GOAL!

JAPAN!!!

MAEDA SCORES!

Doan curls a corner in from the right. It's headed away. The corner will be taken again. 

Kamada shoots!

Great chance for Japan, who hit Croatia on the break. 

Endo picks out Kamana with a through-ball but the Eintracht Frankfurt man shoots over.

Croatia have a free now. Modric stands over it. Japan head the Real Madrid man's cross away. It was hit from a central area, where it's easier to defend.

Nagatomo beats Juranovic on the left but sends his cross over the bar and it's out for a goalkick.

Doan hits Croatia on the break. The experienced Lovren is eventually able to deal with it. Japan had an opportunity there but have failed to get through. 

There are two Celtic players in action here. Daizen Maeda and Josip Juranović are going head-to-head for a place in the last eight of the 2022 World Cup.

It remains 0-0 here. Both sides have been quite cautious.

It's worth remembering that it will go to extra time if it ends in a draw.

In their three previous appearances in the World Cup last 16, Japan have lost to Turkey (2002), Paraguay (2010) and Belgium (2018)   ​​​​​​​

Japan deal with crosses from both sides.

Modric sends Perisic through with a sublime outside-of-the-boot ball to start the move off. Perisic volleys it across the box. 

Juranovic then fires one back into the area but Japan clear.

Modric sends a free-kick into the box.

Gvardiol sends his shot over the bar. It's a poor effort. He lost his balance before striking that one.

Japan have used the wide areas really well. Ito has shown good pace and crossing ability. He's getting the better of Barisic, who is replacing Sosa at left-back and Japan are taking advantage of his absence.

Ito beats Barisic and crosses low again. 

Livakovic comes off his line to collect it. 0-0

Speaking of Gvardiol, he plays with such maturity for a centre-back who is still only 20. This tournament will only increase his price tag. He has been compared to Virgil van Dijk and currently plies his trade with RB Leipzig.

Gvardiol catches Doan. Japan go short with the free-kick. 

Croatia clear it. Gvardiol does well to get away with not picking up a booking there.

Nagatomo crosses it in from the left. 

It comes off Gvardiol and it eventually goes behind goes for a goalkick. 

Japan's crosses have been very dangerous so far, from both sides.

Out of possession, Japan are defending with a back five.

Bruno Petkovic is playing up top for Croatia today but he hasn't scored an international goal in 16 games. 

Ritsu Doan's two World Cup goals have arrived after he came off the bench but he deservedly starts today. There is no place in the team for Take Kubo.

Japan go close!

Ito whips a low ball into the near post but it evades everyone and goes out for a goalkick on the far side.

Ito has been busy in the opening 11 minutes.

Perisic scored in the 2018 World Cup final but wasn't unable to convert this time. It's a good save by Gonda. 0-0

Perisic is through on goal after nudging Tomiyasu off it.

Gonda saves Perisic's shot from a tight angle. 

That's the best chance of the game so far.

Croatia have scored four goals at this tournament and all four goals came against Canada in a 4-1 win. They recorded two 0-0 draws against Morocco and Belgium. 

Juranovic goes long with the throw-in. It's sent into the Japanese box but is eventually cleared.

Ito takes a corner from the right. It goes short to Endo, who fizzes it in first time.

What a chance!

Taniguchi heads wide in the six-yard box.

Croatia have made two changes to their side. 

Barisic and Petkovic have come into the XI.

The winner of this one will play either Brazil or South Korea in the quarter-finals.

Croatia get us underway!

Both sides are in their home strips. They are two very likeable kits, I must add.

Japan get into a huddle pre-match - this is a huge one!

We're just moments away from kickoff!

We now have the Croatian national anthem   ​​​​​​​

It's now time for the national anthems, starting with Japan   ​​​​​​​

Japan have been at every World Cup since 1998 but have never been able to make it past the round of 16. Croatia will be a major test today.

Here come the teams!

The players are in the tunnel. 

It's a midnight kickoff in Japan! What a party that will be if they can win today.

One to Watch: Ritsu Doan

Ritsu Doan's two World Cup goals in Qatar have arrived after he came off the bench. He starts against Croatia today.

Opta - Doan's team-mate Takuma Asano attempted more shots than any Japan player in the group stage (8), despite the fact he didn’t start any of their three games.

Kickoff is just over 10 minutes away!

Croatia look for second World Cup win

After an opening day goalless draw, Croatia picked up three points with a convincing 4-1 win over Canada. Their final group game saw them draw 0-0 with Belgium to finish second in Group F.

If this game ends in a draw, there will be extra time.

Who will the winner play?

Japan or Croatia will meet the winner of Monday’s second last-16 clash between Brazil and South Korea, in the last eight in Qatar.

Croatia's key man: Luka Modric

A 37-year-old playing like a 17-year-old. Luka Modric, like at Real Madrid, is the conductor for Croatia. He is part of an excellent midfield three, working in the engine room alongside Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic.

Modric keeps Croatia ticking over, and helped his team advance to the last 16, where they will face an exciting Japan side. His leadership and experience could prove crucial if his country is to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

In Croatia’s bid to win the 2018 World Cup, Modric collected the Ballon d’Or for helping to guide Croatia to the final, where they lost 4-2 to France.

Croatia XI

Japan XI

Kovavic vs Canada

Mateo Kovacic was on fire in Croatia's 4-1 win over Canada in the group stage. 

Japan's last-16 record

Japan, who beat both Spain and Germany in the group stage, are now tasked with achieving another first: winning a knockout game at the tournament.

In three previous appearances in the World Cup last 16, the Samurai Blue have lost to Turkey (2002), Paraguay (2010) and Belgium (2018).

Best midfield in the world?

Lovro Majer, 24, says Croatia might possess one of the best midfields in the world with Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic.

He told L'Équipe: "We have a very good team and possibly the best midfield in the world".

​​​​​​​On breaking into the side, he added: "I have to be ready when it is my time, I think I’ve met and responded to the expectations of when I came into the side."

Japan XI vs Croatia

Japan will line out as follows:

Croatia XI vs Japan

The Croatia team is in.

Croatia get ready

The Croatia dressing room at the Al Janoub Stadium today. Modric et al will be in there very shortly to begin their pre-match routines. 

Player to watch: Ivan Perisic

After his performance against Canada, Ivan Perisic went off to a standing ovation. A move to Tottenham over the summer shows just how admired he still is at 33. In the 4-1 win over Canada, he was involved in two goals.

He teed Andrej Kramaric up for his 21st goal for Croatia. It was a fine finish, hit first time after a lovely through-ball from the ever-dangerous Perisic.

Perisic then picked Andrej Kramaric out again, with a cross from the left and the number nine curled it home past Milan Borjan for a brace. It was pure Perisic.

According to Opta, Perisic has been directly involved in 16 goals at World Cups and Euros combined (9 goals, 7 assists), five more than any other Croatia player.

The experienced wide man knows all about big games and scored in the 2018 World Cup final.

Japan's World Cup comebacks

Japan suffered a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in Group E but stunned both Germany and Spain after coming from behind in both games.

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has made changes at the break that changed the scene in both matches. 

Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma have been key to Japan topping Group E. 

Doan got the equaliser against Spain after replacing Take Kubo at half-time. Mitoma then set up Ao Tanaka to score the all-important winner against La Roja.

Celtic wish players luck

Celtic players Daizen Maeda and Josip Juranović will go head-to-head for a place in the last eight of the 2022 World Cup.

Croatia finish second in Group F

After an opening-day goalless draw with Morocco, Croatia picked up three points with a convincing 4-1 win over Canada.

Their final group game saw them draw 0-0 with Belgium to finish second in Group F, behind winners Morocco.

Japan: Group E winners

For the first time since 2002, the Japan men's national team won its group at the World Cup.

Many expected Germany and Spain to advance from the tricky group but it was the Samurai Blue who came out on top, with Spain finishing in the runners-up spot.

WORLD CUP 2022

Players to watch in Japan vs Croatia Round of 16 World Cup game: Modric, Kubo, Perisic...

It's Japan vs Croatia in what is a fascinating last-16 clash for you on this December Monday. 

Ahead of the game, we have taken a look at five key players as both sides look to book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

Read about five players to watch 

Today's venue: Al Janoub Stadium

Preparations are underway at the Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar ahead of Japan-Croatia.

Monday's fixtures

We have two very tasty fixtures to look forward to today.

Football on a Monday. You can't beat it!

Round of 16 underway

Today's early World Cup game sees Japan take on Croatia, with Brazil facing South Korea later today. We'll have text commentary on both games for you.

Japan vs Croatia: hello and welcome!

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this World Cup round of 16 match between Japan and Croatia. My name is Kieran and I'll be providing you with all the latest news and team news ahead of kickoff. We'll also have live text commentary on the game itself coming up.