Japan took a 1-0 lead on Croatia at halftime as it tried to make the quarterfinals of a World Cup for the first time. Ritsu Doan earned a start after two goals in the group stage and it paid off as his cross from near the corner flag caused havoc in the Croatia box. After a missed header, Maya Yoshida flicked the loose ball to Daizen Maeda, who poked it into the net. The goal stood up after a review.
Both teams had chances in the game, but Croatia could not find a finishing touch: Josko Gvardiol kicked a good chance into row Z, and Bruno Petkovic was foiled in the box after dawdling for one second too many.