Croatia beats Japan in penalty shootout at World Cup

Croatia's Luka Modric, left, kicks the ball ahead of Japan's Hidemasa Morita, centre, and Japan's Shogo Taniguchi during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Japan and Croatia at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Croatia is going deep at another World Cup, and the team is taking the long route once again.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks Monday in Croatia's 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout, securing a return to the quarterfinals for the runner-up in the 2018 tournament.