Subasic saves 3 in penalty shootout as Croatia beats Denmark to advance to quarterfinals

Croatia didn't play their usual game but as the technically better side it's good for the sake of football that they continue in this tournament.

Croatia deserved the win and I expect they will prevail over Russia (who also deserved the win over the never ending passing Spain).

I'm surprised that Croatia didn't beat Denmark in regulation, they'd looked so good so far while the Danes had looked... adequate. Still, advancing is advancing.

My finals prediction Croatia vs Belgium. I hope.

I don't know a better way but I hate how these draws come out to PKs. Essentially everything comes down on the goalkeeper regardless of what happened before and the rest of the team just has to watch and pin their hopes on the keeper.

Brilliant tactical change by the Danish coach at half time to keep them in the game after the Croats looked like they were going to run away with it early doors. Schmeichel was superb but the Croatians held their nerve in the shoot out. I can't see that aging Russian defence keeping out Modric, Perisic and Rakitic. A bridge too far for the hosts, one would expect.

Essentially everything comes down on the goalkeeper

I’d say it comes down on the penalty takers. If the keeper saves crap pens, he’s still a hero. I think it’s more a case of a missed or saved pen is a bad pen.

I’d certainly feel more relaxed facing a penalty than taking one.

That's, on paper, the easiest side of the draw. Winner of Russia v Croatia will play one of Swe/Swi/Col/Eng for a place in the wc final!

Modric better work on his pk though; missed the first one & was lucky to score the 2nd (straight down the middle, poor/weak shot).

I’d certainly feel more relaxed facing a penalty than taking one.

Yeah, same here. Thought both Schmeichel and Subasic's physical presence inhibited the penalty takers. Probably not a bad thing to be 6'2" / 6'3" & 90kgs when you're a gk.

@goldorak

That’s only average height in the English Premier League. Any shorter, and you’d be unlikely to be in the World Cup finals....

For what it’s worth, this is my idea to try & avoid PKs.

In the event of extra time, each team has to withdraw one player every 5mins. This would continue until there are seven players left on each team.

Team tactics & strategy would come into play - who to take off & who to leave on.