Match 53
Japan v Croatia
Croatia booked their place in the quarter-finals after edging Japan 3-1 (1-1 AET) on penalties in Al Janoub.
Japan opened proceedings the more impressive of the two and took a deserved lead before half-time through Daizen Maeda.
Croatia seemed to regroup after the restart and found themselves back on level terms no more than 10 minutes in, when Dejan Lovren picked out the head of Ivan Perisic.
The match looked destined for extra-time from then on, with penalties then gracing the World Cup stage for the first time in Qatar.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic came to the Vatreni’s rescue from then on, saving three penalties to send Zlatko Dalic’s men through to the last eight.
Match 54
Brazil v Korea Republic
Brazil eased through to the quarter-finals after dismantling Korea Republic 4-1 in Ras Abu Aboud.
It was a first half to behold from the five-time world champions, who went into the break four goals to the good courtesy of Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta.
Korea Republic managed to stop the bleeding in the second half, though the Selecao had clearly taken their foot off the gas with Tite making a string of substitutions.
Seung-ho Paik gave the Taegeuk Warriors something to cheer about 15 minutes from time, but that’s as good as it got as Brazil danced their way to a quarter-final against Croatia.
