Levakovic takes Croatia to quarter-finals

Dominik Levakovic, the Croatian goalkeeper, carried his country on his shoulders to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the expense of Japan, after he managed to save 3 penalties that ended in Croatia (3-1) in a match that took place yesterday at the stadium “Al-Janoub” in the 1/8 finals. The original and extra time ended in a 1–1 draw. Japan scored first thanks to Daisen Maeda in the 43rd minute, while Ivan Perišić scored Croatia’s goal in the 55th minute. missed more than one opportunity to score a goal as Taniguchi got a cross in the penalty area and in the second minute he headed close to the right post. As the first half drew to a close, the ball was ready in front of Maeda in the crowd in the penalty area, and he hit hard with his left to score Japan’s goal. In the second half, Ivan Perišić managed to equalize in favor of Croatia in the 55th minute. Gonda, Japan’s goalkeeper, shone as he blocked Luka Modric’s powerful shot in the 62nd minute. The match ended in a 1-1 draw in the opening time and both teams rushed into extra time, which was nothing new. In the penalty shootout, Croatian goalkeeper Levaković managed to block three penalties from Minamino, Mituma and Maja Yoshida, the Japanese trio, while Marko Leviaha, the Croatian player, missed the Croatian’s kick.