Farewell Samurai Blue. Japan have enriched the World Cup with stunning comebacks against old champions, indefatigable spirit and a passionate desire to upset the football hierarchy, but the formidable weight of history proved too great in Qatar. Their own, and Croatia’s.
History repeated itself in this last‑16 tie as Croatia prevailed in a penalty shootout after extra time. As they do. Six of their past seven knockout games at major tournaments have lasted 120 minutes, with the exception of defeat against France in the 2018 World Cup final, and the smallest country left in the competition are defying the odds yet again. Japan exited agonisingly short of a first ever quarter-final appearance. As they do.
