Croatia beats Denmark 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out, will meet Russia in the quarter-finals

1998 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in an exciting encounter today defeated Denmark 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out. The match which went on to the extra time was finally decided through a penalty shoot -out

The World Cup last 16 clash between Croatia and Denmark went to a penalty shootout on Sunday after the teams finished deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Croatia's Luka Modric had the chance to send his team into a quarter-final against hosts Russia with a penalty four minutes from the end of extra time but Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel dived to his left to save the spot kick.



After a frantic start, Croatia and Denmark had gone to 30 minutes of extra time with their group-of-16 World Cup match tied at 1-1.

Both goals came in the first four minutes in Nizhny Novgorod. Mathias Jorgensen gave Denmark the lead after only 58 seconds, and Mario Mandzukic equalized in the 4th minute. The second half has seen far fewer attacking chances with both teams playing more cautiously.

Croatia will play the quarterfinal against Russia, which beat Spain 4-3 in a penalty shootout after their match finished 1-1 after extra time.

The World Cup last-16 match between Croatia and Denmark went to extra-time on Sunday -- the second game to require an extra 30 minutes on day two of the knockout phase.

Mathias Jorgensen gave Denmark the lead after 58 seconds but Mario Mandzukic levelled for Croatia in the fourth minute.