The secret favorite continues | TIME ONLINE

Why is Croatia not eliminated?

Argentina, Portugal and Spain were caught in the round of 16, Germany is long gone. Judging by the fact that the alleged favorites at this World Cup rather than appearing as favorites, a defeat of Croatia fit into the picture. After all, the Croatians are after the 3: 0 against Argentina something like the new secret favorite and the successor of the not so secret Belgians. Like Belgium and Uruguay, Croatia has won its first three matches. Against Denmark, who stuttered rather through the group stage, the Balkan footballers were the favorites. Only this cast of roles did not please them. The fact that they are in the quarterfinals on Saturday and that they meet Russia was mainly due to Danijel Subašić. The goalkeeper

How did the game start?

Those who, like some Croatian fans, had to tear their eyes after the hymns, missed the decisive scenes of the regular season. After 58 seconds, Mathias Jørgensen took the Danes in the lead. A throw-in from super-pitcher Jonas Knudsen, who would probably throw the ball from Russia to Bornholm, if only because it would let pbad, Jørgensen at the door. After 58 seconds. It was the fastest goal of this World Cup up here. Only the Danes had hardly time to be happy with their farce. Elaborated by happiness, Henrik Dalsgaard scored Andreas Christensen in his own screaming room, whose ball bounced just in front of Mario Mandžukić's feet. He did what he liked most during his stay at VfL Wolfsburg and later at Bayern. He smoked. Four minutes were played, and he was already 1-1. Only the two teams were prisoners at their own pace. So it could not continue and it did not last.

When was the next exciting moment?

There was only a few minutes left in overtime when Luka Modrić had one of his moments Luka Modrić. On an emotional level, he cut the Danish defense in one pbad, as an escape artist who only needs one cut to break free. Modrić played in the course of Ante Rebić, who is known to be able to rely on the DFB Cup final when he runs alone on the goalkeeper. If that had also been the case, Rebić was not counting on Mathias Jørgensen's long run after playing against goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Clear emergency brake (for which there is more than the yellow card), net penalty. Of course, Modrić caught the ball, once he had already been transformed to this World Cup. On the other hand, Lionel Messi scored in Russia from the penalty spot, Cristiano Ronaldo also. It was therefore logical that Modrić, the best player of the tournament so far, has done for the two footballers of the world. Flattering, just like a flatterer stops. Father Peter, who looked up as if he was still playing, brought Denmark to the finals of the European Championship in the legendary penalty shoot-out against the Netherlands in 1992 and his son participated in a World Cup. to write.

Why was Schmeichel not so well punished?

In fact, it was the case. The first penalty of Croatian Milan Badelj he held again. Only at this moment his opponent Subašić had already parried against Christian Eriksen. Subasic was by no means willing to give the show a flattery on the bleachers and the other flatterer in the field. Subašić and flattering seemed an indomitable moment. It only took humor Simon Kjær, who finally drove the ball into the door. Full dick under the crossbar. Questions? At one point, Luka Modrić was back, it was the moment when the psychological impulse rocked. Until then, it had been on the side of the Danes, but Modrić was not impressed by the antics that Schmeichel was playing and was sure. After Modrić were still the goalkeeper's turn. Subašić stopped, flattened, Subašić stopped. Ivan Rakitić met him. It was the game decided and Croatia in the quarterfinals.

What happened between the opening phase and the penalty shoot-out?

Little to nothing. Croatia lacked lightness and playfulness since the group stage, while Denmark played better than expected. In defense, the Danes were safe, the spaces they narrowed skillfully. In the middle of the second half, led by midfielder Thomas Delaney, they took control of the midfield. To score chances, but they came as little as the Croatians, who were only in the extension even more active. Just in time to regain momentum in a shootout.