Subasic saves 3 in a shootout to enable Croatia to advance

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA » Danijel Subasic saved three penalties, and Croatia’s World Cup hopes.

In the second straight shootout of the tournament, the Croats advanced to the quarterfinals on Sunday with a 3-2 victory over Denmark on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Subasic tipped the first penalty of the shootout from Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen onto the post. He then dived to his right to save an attempt from substitute Lasse Schone. Finally, he used his feet to block Nicolai Jorgensen’s attempt.

“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 penalties in a shootout at the World Cup, matching the feat of Portugal keeper Ricardo against England in 2006.

Croatia will next face host Russia in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Sochi. Russia also advanced on penalties, beating Spain 4-3 following another 1-1 draw.

Croatia had a chance to take the lead late in the game at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, but Luka Modric’s penalty was saved by Kasper Schmeichel. The Denmark goalkeeper, who also saved a pair of penalties 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, however, made his penalty in the shootout and Ivan Rakitic scored the decider with a shot to the left side of the net as Schmeichel dived 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, and then dropped him. “He is fine,” Dalic said. Croatia entered the match after impressing in the group stage, including a 3-0 dismantling of twotime champion Argentina at the same stadium. But Denmark, unbeaten in 18 games coming into the game, provided tough opposition.

The Danes took the lead in the first minute when defender Mathias Jorgensen scrambled in a shot that went in off Subasic’s left hand and then the left post. It was Denmark’s fastest ever World Cup goal.

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.

In the early 1950s, Hungary was the best team in the world and entered the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland as the overwhelming favorite. After all, Hungary was unbeaten in four years and was led by Puskas, the game’s most complete player.

Puskas had it all — creativity,

England may have won the 1966 World Cup at home but the star player was undoubtedly Portugal striker Eusebio da Silva Ferreira.

Hailing originally from Mozambique, Eusebio was arguably the first great African player.

He had a powerful shot and scored an astonishing nine goals in six matches at the World Cup in ‘66, including four against North Korea that got Portugal, playing in the tournament for the first time, out of a deep hole.

And though he scored a penalty in a classic semifinal

At least Eusebio got to play in a World Cup. George Best never had the chance because Northern Ireland never qualified for the tournament during his time.

Best was as skillful a footballer as the game has seen. A genius.

The world would have to make do with watching Best perform his wizardry for Manchester United, notably in 1968 when Best was instrumental in United beating Eusebio’s Benfica 4-1 in the European Cup final.

After normal time ended 1-1, Best scored United’s second goal after rounding goalkeeper Jose Henrique and calmly slotting the ball into the empty Benfica net.

Unfortunately, Best’s time at the top was not as long as his talent merited.