Brazil ease past South Korea, Croatia edge Japan on penalties

In the day's first match, Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic was the hero with three saves in the penalty shootout as his side knocked Japan out after a 1-1 regular time and goalless extra time.

Livakovic saved the penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kauru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida to send Croatia into a quarterfinal tie with Brazil, while Japan have now failed to get past the last-16 four times.

Japan opened the lead in the 43rd mute with Diazen Maedo firing home from close-range after a well-worked corner.

Ivan Peresic's 55th header from Dejan Lovren's excellent cross allowed Croatia to level. But despite the match threatening to open up, neither side failed to score more in the regular time and the extra time.

It was the seventh extra time Croatia played in the knockout stage of a World Cup.

In the penalty shootout, Croatia won 3-1.

Croatia had won two penalty shootouts on their way to the Russia 2018 final.