Croatia flaunted their knockout experience and triumphed 3-1 on penalties against Japan on Monday to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Having beaten Denmark and Russia in shoot-outs during their journey to the 2018 final, the Croats kept their composure to book a place in the last eight alongside Holland, Argentina, France and England, who qualified this weekend.
Daizen Maeda fired gutsy Japan ahead on the stroke of half-time before Ivan Perisic levelled the scoreboard in the 55th minute, drilling a bullet header past Shuichi Gonda between the posts.
After the match went to a cagey and nervy extra-time tussle, Dominik Livakovic saved three penalties against captain Maya Yoshida and substitutes Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino to seal the victory.
Sportsmail has rated each player’s performance from the last-16 clash, which proved an even contest until penalties.
Croatia sealed a 3-1 victory on penalties against Japan to advance into the quarter-finals
Ivan Perisic levelled the scoreboard in the 55th minute with a bullet header in the last-16 tie
JAPAN (3-4-3)
Goalkeeper
Shuichi Gonda 7.5
Provided a calm and reliable presence for Japan throughout the match. Unfortunately failed to step up to the plate in the shoot-out.
Defenders
Takehiro Tomiyasu 5
Early mistake handed a golden chance to Perisic, who continually had his number on the wing. Didn’t quite look up to it after returning for Japan.
Maya Yoshida 7
Marshalled Japan brilliantly at the back but missed a vital penalty in the shoot-out. Assisted Maeda with a great touch in the box.
Shuichi Gonda (pictured) provided a calm and reliable presence for Japan against Croatia
Shogo Taniguchi 6.5
Offered a threat from set-pieces but missed a big chance early on. Defended bravely for his team and kept Petkovic very quiet.
Midfielders
Junya Ito 6.5
His lightning pace terrorised Barisic and he flashed a few dangerous balls across goal. Tracked back well in defence but lost energy towards the end.
Wataru Endo 7.5
One of Japan’s best players thanks to his neat passing and committed tackling. Unsurprising he’s led the Bundesliga for duels won in the last two seasons.
Hidemasa Morita 6
Never looked like unlocking Croatia’s defence with the final pass. Kept tabs on Croatia’s midfield trio well but offered little in attack.
Yuto Nagatomo 6.5
Worked relentlessly on the left in what promises to be his last World Cup. Put in a couple of teasing crosses to test the defence.
Forwards
Ritsu Doan 7.5
Looked lively again after his pivotal goal against Spain. Peppered Croatia with fruitful crosses and his shrewd delivery played a large part in Japan’s goal.
Ritsu Doan (pictured) peppered Croatia with fruitful crosses and played a part in the goal
Daizen Maeda 7
Got his goal and bruised Croatia’s defence with tireless running. Japan lost their spark when he made way.
Daichi Kamada 6.5
Had an exceptional first-half but fell away somewhat in the second. Tempted Moriyasu into surprisingly substituting him.
Manager
Hajime Moriyasu 6
His tactics dominating the contest in the first-half but he lost his way after Perisic’s equaliser. Needed to find another gear in extra time to avoid penalties.
Substitutes
Kaoru Mitoma (replaced Nagatomo – 64′) 7
Very lively but ultimately fluffed a crucial spot-kick.
Kaoru Mitoma (pictured) was very lively for Japan, but ultimately fluffed a crucial spot kick
Takuma Asano (replaced Maeda – 64′) 5
Looked isolated in attack and struggled to hold the ball up.
Hiroki Sakai (replaced Kamada – 75′) 6
Gave experience but little else.
Takumi Minamino (replaced Doan – 87′) 5
Got Japan off to a poor start in the shoot-out with a shocking penalty.
Ao Tanaka (replaced Morita – 106′) 6
Gave it his all in extra-time and offered fresh legs.
CROATIA (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Dominik Livakovic 9
The hero for Croatia as he denied three penalties to see them comfortably into the quarter-finals.
Defenders
Josip Juranovic 7
Solid defensive display. Made some brilliant defensive clearances.
Dejan Lovren 7.5
The former Liverpool defender played a fantastic ball in for Ivan Perisic’s equaliser.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic (pictured) was the hero for Croatia after saving three penalties
Josko Gvardiol 6.5
Composed and solid defensively. Linked up with the midfield well throughout the match.
Borna Barisic 6.5
Grew into the match after initially struggling to deal with the pace of Japan down the right.
Midfielders
Mateo Kovacic 7
Won his challenges, accurate with his passing, but overall didn’t live up to his normal expectations.
Marcelo Brozovic 7
Created good chances for Croatia and was good in possession.
Luka Modric 6.5
The Real Madrid star didn’t influence the game and was slow to press Ritsu Doan for Japan’s goal.
Forwards
Andrej Kramaric 5.5
Struggled to impose himself on the match and was taken off in the second-half.
Andrej Kramaric (pictured) struggled to make an impact for Croatia in the last-16 clash
Bruno Petkovic 5
Wasn’t provided much service, despite being brought in to be a focal point in attack.
Ivan Perisic 8
Arguably Croatia’s biggest attacking threat throughout and was rewarded by scoring a superb header for the equaliser.
Manager
Zlatko Dalic 6
Job done. Got his team through to the quarter-finals, despite taking off key players.
Substitutes
Ante Budimir (replaced Petkovic – 62′) 6
Did very little of note and was replaced himself by Marko Livaja in extra time.
Mario Pasalic (replaced Kramaric – 68′) 6
Scored the winning penalty to put Croatia through to the quarter-finals.
Mario Pasalic (pictured, left) scored the winning penalty for Croatia against opponents Japan
Nikola Vlasic (replaced Kovacic – 99′) 6
Scored from the spot to help Croatia win in a penalty shoot-out.
Lovro Majer (replaced Modric – 99′) 6
Replaced Modric, too little time to make a real difference.
Mislav Orsic (replaced Perisic – 106′) 6
Little chance to impact the match.
Marko Livaja (replaced Budimir – 106′) 6
Hit the post with a casual penalty.
Marko Livaja (pictured) hit the post with a casual penalty for Croatia, although it didn’t matter
