DOHA: Croatia captain Luka Modric said his team “can’t do it without a drama” after they reached the World Cup quarter-finals following a penalty shootout win against Japan on Monday.
Mario Pasalic struck the winning spot-kick after Dominik Livakovic saved three penalties.
Earlier, Ivan Perisic had pulled Croatia level in the 55th minute of normal time following Daizen Maeda’s opener for Japan just before the break.
But no side could find a winner either in 90 minutes or in extra-time as it finished 1-1.
“It seems that we can’t do it without a drama,” Modric, whose team were beaten finalists in 2018, said. “We are more than happy to reach the quarter-finals.
“It was a very difficult game against a very tough team.”
The match in Qatar continues a pattern for Croatia.
Seven of their past eight knockout games at major tournaments have gone to extra time, the only exception being their final defeat by France in Russia four years ago.
Modric said Croatia had not played at their top level but had found a way to win.
“We showed character when we came back from the deficit... Livi (Livakovic) performed a miracle today. A very tough, exhausting match.”
Coach Zlatko Dalic said reaching the last eight was a “major result”.
“Don’t ever underestimate a Croatian,” he said. “Whenever this happens, one regrets it. We are going all the way.”
This will likely be the last chance to win the World Cup for a talented but ageing generation of Croatian players.
“We showed that we are of the level necessary to go far. We have finished third (in 1998) and second and now we are in the quarters,” Dalic said.
“We have earned the right to hope for great results... we won’t give up, we will keep fighting to achieve our World Cup dream.”
Dalic’s team will next face Brazil, seeking their sixth world crown, and he is convinced his team can prevail.
“Let’s give our best and play our hearts out for the win,” said Dalic.
“The players don’t give up, they reflect the spirit of the Croatian people. We have been through so much pain... the whole of Croatia looks to them.”
Meanwhile, Livakovic said that he was continuing a Croatian tradition after his penalty shoot-out heroics against Japan.
Livakovic saved three of Japan’s four penalties after a 1-1 draw to end the Blue Samurai’s adventure in Qatar and set up a last-eight clash with Brazil.
Croatia won twice on penalties during their run to the 2018 final and prevailed again at Al Janoub Stadium.
“I continued the tradition of my predecessor (Danijel Subasic). I think it is more instinct than any analysis of the takers you have in front of you,” he told reporters.
“I don’t think they were difficult penalties to save, they weren’t perfect penalties, and thank God for that.”
He added: “It’s a great feeling... Thank God all ended well... This is the most cherished moment in my career.”
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu praised Livakovic for his display, choosing to focus on the saves rather than the poor penalties taken by Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida.
“I don’t think we succumbed to the pressure, I think the goalkeeper was great,” he said.
“Japan’s players played 120 minutes bravely and the players who took penalty kicks were also courageous.
“Of course we wanted to win and the result is very unfortunate but... it does not negate the effort of the players. They should be confident they can play on world stage. They showed how good they can play in the World Cup.”
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