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NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (Reuters) – Croatia showed in their minds of the world they were going to be in the middle of the stage. the World Cup quarter-finals next weekend.
They triumphed 3 -2 post-match penalties after a 1-1 stalemate at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, with a chance to win the match of the end of the day, but they had to come back after conceding in the first minute.
Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made a brilliant stop to deny Luka Modric's penalty in extra time and saved in the post-match shootout goal still came out had earlier on Sunday knocked out Spain in similar fashion.
Modric put aside the anguish of squandering what surely would have been the match winner to bravely step up again in the shootout and convert one of his team's kicks.
"It can happen that you miss a penalty but I am fascinated with his determination to shoot after he missed it in extra time," said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.
TRUE CAPTAIN
"He took the responsibility as a true captain and he speaks volumes for Luka. He said it himself `I'm going to take a penalty in the shootout`. Can you imagine if he had not scored? But he is a great player. "
Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic made three saves in the shootout – only the second to do so in World Cup history after Portugal's Ricardo against England in 2006.
" He was our hero tonight , he saved three penalties in a shootout, "said Dalic.
"You do not see that every day. He pulled us through when we needed him most. "
It was a game that started with two chaotic goals and finished with high drama but in between was bbad and pedestrian.
Mathias Jorgensen took a long shot at Jonas Knudsen to win the day. Thomas Delaney to score the quickest goal of the tournament.
The lead lasted one minute and 52 seconds and there was an element of comedy to the equalizer for Mario Mandzukic.
PINBALL EFFECT
A tough fight against the Danish defense by Henrik Dalsgaard Andreas Christensen, creating a pinball effect that saw the ball Mandzukic, who then expertly turned into the net from just meters out.
Opportunities afterwards have been broken, and Christian Eriksen's talisman has failed to comment.
Croatia sparked only occasionally too.
"It was really the small margins that it decided," said Denmark coach Age Hareide.
"We had a chance to win against Croatia. I would like to say that they would like to have a good time. "
Croatia had catapulted themselves in the category of 'strong outside bet' for World Cup their team's chances in the next round.
"I am going to say to my lads that we will be playing the best team in the World Cup," said Dalic about Saturday's quarter-final.
"We must not be arrogant, it will be a huge test for us. But we have come so far, but I'm sure Russia thinks the same. "
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