Croatia beat Japan on penalties to advance to quarters

JOY AND DESPAIR: Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic celebrates as he makes a save from Japan's Maya Yoshida during the penalty shootout. Pic: AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Dominik Livakovic saved three penalties to send 2018 finalists Croatia into the World Cup quarter-finals and inflict more knockout heartbreak on Japan.

Having never before reached the last eight of the competition, Japan fell at the same stage as they did in 2002, 2012 and 2018, losing 3-1 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw.