Subasic keeps Croatia alive, stops Denmark
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia — Danijel Subasic saved three penalty kicks — and Croatia’s World Cup hopes.
In the tournament’s second straight shootout Sunday, the Croats advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-2 victory over Denmark on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Subasic tipped the first attempt of the shootout, by Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, onto the post. He then dived to his right to save an attempt by substitute Lasse Schone. Finally, he used his feet to block Nicolai Jorgensen’s kick.
“He was a hero tonight,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “He saved three penalties in a shootout. You don’t see that every day.”
Subasic became only the second goalkeeper to save three penalty kicks in a shootout at the World Cup, matching the feat of Portugal keeper Ricardo against England in 2006.
Croatia next faces host Russia at 2 p.m. EDT Saturday in Sochi. Russia also advanced via shootout, beating Spain 4-3 after a 1-1 draw.
Croatia had a chance to take the lead late in the game, but Luka Modric’s penalty kick was stopped by Kasper Schmeichel. The Denmark goalkeeper, who made two saves in the shootout, dived to his left to smother Modric’s attempt in the 116th minute.
Subasic’s three saves and Schmeichel’s two made it the most combined saves in a World Cup shootout.
Modric made his penalty kick in the shootout, though, and Ivan Rakitic scored the decider with a shot to the left side of the net as Schmeichel went the wrong way.
After surviving the shootout, Subasic had to survive the celebration. Domagoj Vida lifted the keeper onto his shoulders as they celebrated the win, then dropped him.
“He is fine,” Dalic said. Croatia entered the match after an impressive group-stage showing that included a 3-0 dismantling of two-time champion Argentina at the same stadium. But Denmark, unbeaten in its previous 18 games, provided tough opposition.
The Danes took the lead in the first minute when defender Mathias Jorgensen scrambled in a shot that went off Subasic’s left hand and then the left post. It was Denmark’s quickest score at any World Cup.
Croatia equalized in the fourth minute with another untidy goal. Henrik Dalsgaard’s clearance hit a teammate and fell for Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic to hook the ball in.
The teams stayed even for the next 116 minutes, including the 30 minutes of extra time.
In the shootout, Schmeichel saved attempts by Milan Badelj and Josip Pivaric.
“I am so sorry for Kasper and the whole team,” Denmark coach Age Hareide said. “That’s just the brutality of football.”