Croatia secured a slot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal berth, courtesy of a penalty shootout win over Denmark. The next challenge is scheduled for 7 July in Sochi against the host nation Russia.
The opening minutes in Nizhny Novgorod could not have been more exciting: M. Jorgensen beat Subašić from a scramble in the Croatian box with barely a minute gone, while Mandžukić equalized on four minutes, scoring from a rebound in the Danish box.
However, it was less eventful afterwards. Both team had a couple of opportunites in the first half, while in the second half the goalkeepers were called into action in the final 15 minutes. Still, neither team could find the winning move.
During the extra-time, it was Denmark that created some chances, but it was Croatia with the first match-point. On 115 minutes, Modrić found Rebić, who was fouled in a clear goalscoring opportunity. Croatia captain took the spot kick, but Schmeichel saved his effort.
It all came down to the penalty shootout heroics. Croatia goalie Subašić saved three penalties (Eriksen, Schöne, N. Jorgensen), while Kramarić, Modrić, and finally Rakitić managed to score and mark the beginning of Croatia’s celebrations.
Anthony Nlebem, reporting from Moscow
