2018 FIFA World Cup (Fourth Match, Round of 16):
- Croatia 1 (3) – 1 (1) Denmark
Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was the hero as Croatia squeezed into the World Cup quarter-finals with a penalty shoot-out victory over Denmark on Sunday at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
On a night of late, late drama Ivan Rakitic stroked home the decisive spotkick to ensure the Croats advanced to a last eight meeting with Russia after the two sides finished locked at 1-1 following extra-time.
The Barcelona midfielder’s winner came after Milan Badelj and Josip Pivaric saw their penalties saved by Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who also saved an extra time penalty from Luka Modric.
But Danes Christian Eriksen, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen were thwarted by Subasic in the shootout to ensure Croatia won 3-2 and advanced to their first quarter-finals since the 1998 World Cup in France.
The dramatic ending followed early excitement — but little in between.
In an astonishing start to the match, both teams scored within four minutes via their first attacks.
First, Mathias Jorgensen turned home in the second minute after Croatia failed to clear a long throw-in from Jonas Knudsen, the defender’s shot creeping under Subasic to give Denmark the perfect start.
But any hopes they could hold onto their lead vanished within 90 seconds.
With the Nizhny Novgorod stadium still rocking from the frantic start, Croatia went upfield and promptly equalised.
Again, the goal owed more than a little to bad defending when a Sime Vrsaljko cross was hammered by Henrik Dalsgaard into fellow Dane Andreas Christensen and the ball fell obligingly in the penalty area to Mario Mandzukic who scored.
The explosive start — both sides hit the back of the net within three minutes and thirty seven seconds — was officially the quickest two teams have ever scored in a World Cup finals match.
The following 116 minutes though largely failed to live up to the first four, fireworks giving way to a damp squib of an encounter as the game edged inexorably towards extra time and penalties.
Billed as a clash between the opposing number 10s, Modric and Eriksen, it instead became increasingly attritional and tactical, with both playmakers unable to find any space.
Instead the player who created most chances was Knudsen with his long throws.
Few clear chances were created by either side until Modric’s late penalty miss.
That came after Ante Rebic was fouled in the 116th minute Mathias Jorgensen, with the goal at his mercy.
Modric stepped up but side-footed weakly and Schmeichel made the first of his three penalty saves on the night, all in vain, as his legendary goalkeeping father Peter punched the air in delight as he watched on in the stands.
[Additional report by Reuters]
Round of 16 Matches:
Saturday 30 June:
- France 4-3 Argentina – Kazan (Match 50)
- Uruguay 2-1 Portugal – Sochi (Match 49)
Sunday 1 July:
- Spain 1 (3) – 1 (4) Russia – Moscow (Match 51)
- Croatia 1 (3) – 1 (2) Denmark (Match 52)
Monday 2 July:
- Brazil vs Mexico – Samara, 3pm (Match 53)
- Belgium vs Japan – Rostov-on-Don, 7pm (Match 54)
Tuesday 3 July
- Sweden vs Switzerland – St Petersburg 3pm (Match 55)
- Colombia vs England – Moscow (Spartak), 7pm (Match 56)
Quarter-finals
Friday 6 July
- Winner match 49 vs Winner match 50 – Nizhny Novgorod, 3pm (Match 57)
- Winner match 53 vs Winner match 54 – Kazan, 7pm (Match 58)
Saturday 7 July
- Winner match 55 vs Winner match 56 – Samara, 3pm (Match 60)
- Winner match 51 vs Winner match 52 – Sochi, 7pm (Match 59)
Semi-finals
Tuesday 10 July
- Winner match 57 vs Winner match 58 – St Petersburg, 7pm (Match 61)
Wednesday 11 July
- Winner match 59 vs Winner match 60 – Moscow (Luzhniki), 7pm (Match 62)
Third place play-off
Saturday 14 July
- Loser match 61 vs Loser match 62 – St Petersburg, 3pm
World Cup 2018 final
Sunday 15 July
- Moscow (Luzhniki), 4pm