Croatia beats Denmark on shootout Sunday at World Cup

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, right, is unable to stop a penalty kick by Croatia's Ivan Rakitic during a shootout to decide their World Cup round-of-16 match Sunday in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Denmark advanced to the quarterfinals by winning the shootout 3-2 after the teams finished regulation and extra time tied 1-1. Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, right, is unable to stop a penalty kick by Croatia's Ivan Rakitic during a shootout to decide their World Cup round-of-16 match Sunday in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Denmark advanced to the quarterfinals by winning the shootout 3-2 after the teams finished regulation and extra time tied 1-1.

By Associated Press July 1, 2018 3 min read

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia – Danijel Subasic saved three penalty kicks – and Croatia’s World Cup hopes.

In the tournament’s second straight shootout Sunday, the Croats advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-2 victory over Denmark on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Subasic tipped the first attempt of the shootout, by Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, onto the post. He then dived to his right to save an attempt by substitute Lasse Schone. Finally, he used his feet to block Nicolai Jorgensen’s kick.

“He was a hero tonight,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “He saved three penalties in a shootout. You don’t see that every day.”

Subasic became only the second goalkeeper to save three penalty kicks in a shootout at the World Cup, matching the feat of Portugal keeper Ricardo against England in 2006.