FIFA World Cup 2018 : Round of 16 - Croatia vs Denmark

In the second match of the evening, after the upset exit of Spain, it was expected that Croatia will prevail quite easily over Denmark. The match exploded to life, as the Danes slit through the Croatian defence within two minutes of start to score the fastest goal of the tournament, as Jorgensen poked the ball beneath the diving keeper Subasic, from a goal mouth scuffle off Delaney. However, Croatia were right back with an equaliser, as striker Mandzukic made the most of a botched clearance to put the ball into the net, as the stadium erupted at the electric pace of the game. Both teams, locked 1-1 within the first 5 minutes, thereafter continued to test each other, as the game petered to a dull, clinical spectacle. Typical European football, that laid emphasis on power & physical resilience. Full time & then extra time did not yield any result, though Croatia could not capitalise on earning a penalty in the 116th minute. Kasper Schmeichel blocked the Luca Modric shot to take the game into penalty shoot out - the 2nd of the evening & also the tournament. 

The shoot outs were low on quality & heavy on nerves for obvious reasons. Watched by his father, Peter, from the stands, Kasper Schmeichel saved another two Croatian shots, but that was not enough for his country, as the Danes messed up their shooting prowess to waste three shots, that were blocked by Croatian goalkeeper Subasic. In the end Rakitic scored from the last shot, to take Croatia into the QF, where they play hosts Russia, in what is expected to be another absorbing European spectacle. Denmark go back home, brooding over the lost opportunities they had.