Amazing saves the difference

DESPITE saving three penalties, Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel got one-upped in the shootout.

Schmeichel first saved a penalty from Croatia playmaker Luka Modric late in extra time to force yesterday’s match to a shootout.

He then saved two more spot kicks, but it was Croatia that advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals.

“It’s a strange Schmeichel said.

“Huge disappointment but also enormous pride about our team. I think today we had the opportunity.”

The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Croatia keeper Danijel Subasic then set a tournament record by saving three penalties in the shootout, which Croatia won 3-2.

Schmeichel and Subasic stopped five spot kicks combined, a record in a World Cup shootout and one of the greatest goalkeeping displays in tournament history.

“He saved three penalties in a shootout,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said of his goalkeeper. “’You don’t see that every day.”

Schmeichel’s first penalty save came in the 116th minute when he dived to his left to smother the attempt from Modric. He later saved spot kicks from Milan Badelj and Josip Pivaric.

“I’m sorry for Kasper and the whole team,” Denmark coach Age Hareide said.

“That’s just the brutality of football.” feeling,”