Japan finished in the top 16 for the fourth time in his seventh start to the tournament. Despite losing 0-1 to Costa Rica in the second group match, they managed to reach the round of 16 of the World Championship for the second time in a row.
Monday’s rivals have met three times so far. The preliminary match in 1997 was won by Japan 4:3. The next two matches were held in the world championship group. In 1998 in France the Croatians won 1:0, eight years later in Germany they played without a goal.
Japan – Spain World Cup match compilationvideo: Czech television
The selection of coach Zlatko Dalič in Qatar drew 0:0 with Morocco and Belgium, while beating Canada 4:1. In Group F they finished second behind Morocco.
So far Croatia has reached the last two knockout stages of the World Cup. 24 years ago they defeated the Romanians and in 2018, on penalties, the Danes. In both cases he eventually won medals, first bronze and then silver. Also for this reason, according to bookmakers, Croatians are slightly favored.
