World Cup last 16: goalkeepers shine as Croatia beat Denmark on penalties
Croatia keeper Danijel Subasic and Denmark No.1 Kasper Schmeichel were in fine form in the shoot-out
Croatia 1 Denmark 1 (Croatia won 3-2 on penalties)
Croatia missed a spot-kick in extra-time but later held their nerve to beat Denmark on penalties after the last-16 encounter finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Ivan Rakitic scored the winning penalty to make it 3-2 to Croatia - a result that was harsh on Kasper Schmeichel, the Denmark goalkeeper.
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The match had started in whirlwind fashion when two goals were scored in the opening four minutes. Just 60 seconds was on the clock when Denmark scored through Mathias Jorgensen but within three minutes Croatia were level thanks to Mario Mandzukic.
Neither side could find a breakthrough during normal time but after 116 minutes Croatia had a great chance to settle the tie when they were awarded a penalty after Ante Rebic was brought down. Luka Modric stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved by Schmeichel.
In the shoot-out the great Dane Schmeichel also saved from Croatia’s Milan Badelj and Josip Pivaric. But Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was their hero with saves from Christian Eriksen, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen.
The deciding kick came down to Rakitic and he scored to send Croatia into the last-eight where they face Russia on 7 July.
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