TNT Sports
World Cup 2018: Danijel Subasic heroics sees Croatia through to quarters after shootout drama
By
Published 01/07/2018 at 11:03 GMT+1
World Cup last 16, Nizhny Novgorad Stadium - Croatia 1 (Mandzukic 4') Denmark 1 (Jorgensen 1') 3-2 on penalties
Croatia's goalkeeper Danijel Subasic (L) celebrate with Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Croatia and Denmark at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod on July 1, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
Croatia beat Denmark 3-2 in a penalty shootout to reach the quarter finals of the World Cup after a tight and tense match which finished 1-1 following 90 minutes of play in Nizhny Novgorod.
Both keepers excelled in the shootout, with Kasper Schmeichel saving two but Danijel Subasic's three saves confirmed Croatia's passage to the quarter-final stage.
Luka Modric passed up the opportunity to send his side into the tournament’s last eight late on in extra time, with Schmeichel saving the Croatian midfielder’s poor penalty kick after 116 minutes, sending the game into a shootout.
UEFA Nations League
Hojlund denies disrespecting Ronaldo after copying celebration
21/03/2025 at 08:33
A dramatic start saw both sides find the net in the opening four minutes, with Mathias Jorgensen bundling the ball over the line for Denmark after just 57 seconds. Croatia hit back immediately, though, when Mario Mandzukic squeezed home a finish at the near post after some dreadful defending from the Danes.
From there, the match petered out, with Denmark nullifying Croatia in the second half. It wasn’t until late on in extra time, and then the subsequent penalty shootout, that the game was given a dramatic conclusion, with Croatia setting up a quarter final meeting with Russia.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2018/07/01/2364786-49194490-2560-1440.jpg)
Croatia's defender Josip Pivaric, defender Domagoj Vida and defender Dejan Lovren run on the pitch while celebrating the team's victory in the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Croatia and Denmark at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in N
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT - Croatia must improve if they are to take this glorious chance
Spain’s shock exit to Russia has completely opened up this side of the World Cup draw. It was already the weaker side of the bracket, but now England are the only heavyweight between Croatia and the final. But this pressure appeared to weigh heavy on them for much of the game. They weren’t their usual free-flowing, confident selves. If Croatia’s golden generation are to take this golden opportunity, they must improve on this.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Ivan Perisic (Croatia)
There were a number of standouts for Denmark, with Schmeichel saving no fewer than three penalties and Lasse Schone changing the dynamic of the game coming off the bench for the start of the second half, but for Croatia Ivan Perisic was their most consistent performer over the course of the 120 minutes. On this basis, it’s easy to see why Jose Mourinho wanted the winger so badly last summer. He wasn’t just an effective attacking outlet, but an extra defender as well.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2018/07/01/2364784-49194450-2560-1440.jpg)
Croatia's forward Ivan Perisic controls the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Croatia and Denmark at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod on July 1, 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Croatia - Subasic 8, Strinic 6, Vida 6, Lovren 5, Vrsaljko 7, Brozovic 6, Modric 5, Rakitic 5, Perisic 8, Rebic 6, Mandzukic 6. Subs - Badelj 6, Kramaric 5, Pivaric 5, Kovacic 6.
Denmark - Schmeichel 8, Knudsen 7, Jorgensen 6, Kjaer 5, Dalsgaard 6, Delaney 5, Christensen 5, Braithwaite 6, Eriksen 6, Poulsen 7, Cornelius 5. Subs - Krohn-Dehli 5, Schone 7, Jorgensen 5, Sisto 6.
KEY MOMENTS
2’ GOAL! Croatia 0-1 Denmark: Incredible! Denmark have scored the opener within the opening two minutes. Jorgensen managed to squeeze a finish through Subasic after a long throw. The keeper should have done better.
4’ GOAL! Croatia 1-1 Denmark: Can you believe this start? It's an instant response from Croatia! It was a messy goal, with a ball falling to Mandzukic after a poor Danish clearance and he finishes on the swivel.
42’ OFF THE BAR! Subasic was worried there, and with good reason! Eriksen looped a shot to the back post and it just about dropped in, clipping the bar as it went over. Yikes, that was close!
114’ PENALTY KICK TO CROATIA! Rebic is brought down by Jorgensen as he rounded the goalkeeper. He was played clean through by Modric.
115’ PENALTY SAVED! Schmeichel has saved Denmark! He's saved the penalty kick from Modric, who looked tired as he stepped up to the 12-yard mark. He guessed the right way!
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2018/07/01/2364761-49193990-2560-1440.jpg)
Denmark's Kasper Schmeichel celebrates with Simon Kjaer and team mates after saving a penalty
Image credit: Reuters
DENMARK PENALTY SAVED! Another save! Jorgensen went straight down the middle and Subasic saves with his legs. Croatia 2-2 Denmark after nine penalties.
CROATIA SCORE! Rakitic sends Schmeichel the wrong way from the spot and Croatia are into the quarter finals of the World Cup! They found a way to win. Croatia 3-2 Denmark on penalties.
KEY STATS
Advertisement
Advertisement