Croatia Beat Denmark In Penalty Shootout To Enter Quarter-Finals

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Twice in a day, results have been declared through panelty shootouts. Earlier Russia shocked Spain and now Croatia beat Denmark in another dramatic penalty shootout to progress into quarterfinals. Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic became the hero saving three spot-kicks and Croatia won by 3-2 in penalty shoots after an equal scoreline of 1-1.

Earlier, Croatia made nine changes from their last World Cup Group D match played against Iceland. The game began on an outstanding note both sides scoring within first four minutes.

Denmark scored the first goal in the very first minute after a huge throw-in by Jonas Knudsen sent the ball into the penalty area, where Croatia was in some disarray. Thomas Delaney got a touch and nudged it to Mathias Jorgensen, who scored the goal. Croatia’s answer came just three minutes later. Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic scored the goal and It was 1-1.

But the scoring pace didn’t last, as the game petered out. Both sides, especially Denmark, focused on defense, and any chances that materialized were squandered. None could score a goal in the extra time and finally the game went into penalty shoots.

A total of 5 penalty shots were saved, 2 by the Denmark goalkeeper and 3 by Croatian goalkeeper Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic scored for Croatia while Simon Kjaer and Michael Krohn-Dehli scored for Denmark.

Apart from Subasic only one goalkeeper have saved 3 penalty shots. It was Portugal’s Ricardo and surprisingly it was exactly on this day in 2006.

Croatia will now play against Russia in the quarterfinals.