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Japan, which caused a sensation by defeating Germany and Spain, also failed to advance to the quarterfinals.

In the round of 16, they went 1-1 against Croatia until extra time, but lost after a penalty shoot-out.



This is reporter Hong Young-jae.



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It was Japan that caught the initiative.



Japan took the lead through Maeda's goal in the 43rd minute with no goals.



When Doan Ritsu's cross hit a defender's leg and flowed, Maeda, who was in front of the goal, finished the ball without missing it.



It was Japan's first opening goal of the tournament after coming-from-behind victories against Germany and Spain in the group stage.



However, the potential of Croatia, the Russian World Cup runner-up four years ago, was formidable.



In the 10th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min's Tottenham teammate Perisic shook the Japanese net with a powerful header to turn the game around.



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In the round of 16 tournament, the first overtime was played, and the two teams that could not decide the winner in overtime went into a blood-drying penalty shootout.



Japan, who fought well, collapsed in vain in the penalty shootout.



1st kicker Minamino and 2nd kicker Mitoma's shots were blocked by the Croatian Ribakovic goalkeeper one after another, and the 4th kicker Yoshida's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper again and bowed his head.



Croatia defeated Japan 3-1 in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals.



Croatia once again showed its potential to reach the final after a three-game extension from the round of 16 to the semi-finals at the World Cup in Russia four years ago.



Japan, which succeeded in advancing to the round of 16 for the second time in a row and the fourth time in its career by defeating Germany and Spain, ended the tournament without being able to achieve its dream of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in its history.