Croatia win shootout in goalies game
Nizhniy Novgorod, July 2: Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was the hero as Croatia squeezed into the World Cup quarterfinals with a penalty shoot- out victory over Denmark here on Monday.
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 quarterfinals 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.
You have to earn your luck and the lads earned theirs. Without luck you cannot do anything in life. We have come so far but we don’t intend to stop here. — ZLATKO DALIC Croatia coach