A member of the European Union (EU) has crossed over to the 2022 World Cup Quater Finals in Qatar.
Croatia defeated Japan after both countries ended the main match in a 1-1 draw.
Daizen Maeda scored the first goal for Japan following a free kick while Croatia equalized close to the end of the match with a header from Ivan Perisic.
Both countries proceeded to close the match in a draw even after the extra time given.
How Croatia Won Japan In The Penalty Kickout
Croatia’s goalkeeper, Dominic Kivakovic, saved the day by saving three penalty kicks from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida. Mario Pasalic then scored the goal, ending the match in a 3-1 win.
Croatia’s win over Japan has put them into the quarter-final stage of the World Cup where they would face Brazil or South Korea.
In all, both countries played their best, though Croatia had the most control in the midfield, and Japan’s player; Shogo Taniguchi, Daichi Kamada, and Maeda, blew some chances they had to put the ball inside the net.
Sadly, Qatar 2022 is not for Japan, who had never qualified for the quarter-finals of any World Cup.