Minamino out of World Cup and his decision to return to Liverpool

Croatia defeated Japan on penalties to advance to the quarter-finals. The match was difficult for the current world runners-up from the very first minute of play. Japan's first big warning came before the first five minutes were up with a corner from the right (the same place where the first Japanese goal would be scored 40 minutes later).

Defender Shogo Taniguchi's header went wide, but the message was clear: Hajime Moriyasu's men had not come to the Round of 16 in Qatar to defend. Almost immediately, one of Croatia's most experienced players, Ivan Perisic, capitalised on the naivety of Japan's Takehiro Tomiyasu and returned the favour, but his shot failed to find Shuichi Gonda's net.

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"Croatia are not fully committed in attack as they keep four players back at all times because they know that if they lose the ball, Japan can change the game very quickly." And the game changed after 43 minutes when another corner from the right found Daizen Maeda in the right place at the right time to beat Dominik Livaković. Croatia started the second half more aggressively and after 10 minutes Josip Juranovic won the ball back and quickly found Dejan Lovren, who found the head of Perisic almost on the penalty spot line.

The superb header flew into the bottom left-hand corner of the Japanese goal. Although Croatia looked stronger after the goal, the stalemate lasted until the end of the 90 minutes. Extra time brought no goals either and it was all set for the penalty shoot-out, where Croatia booked their place in the quarter-finals where the winner of Brazil v South Korea awaits them. The hero was Livaković who saved three of the Japanese shots.

<strong>Minamino missed</strong>

The first shooter to miss for Japan was attacker Takumi Minamino, condemning his team to elimination. In recent hours there has been talk of a possible return for Minamino to Liverpool, although due to his poor Premier League form it is looking impossible and he will remain at Ligue 1 side Monaco.