Skipper Luka Modric couldn’t help, but admit that Croatia and drama go hand-in-hand, after his team beat a gritty Japan 3-1 via a dramatic tie-breaker after the scores were locked 1-1 at the end of full time in their Round-of-16 encounter at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Japan ahead early

Daizen Maeda put Japan ahead in the 43rd minute much against the run of play and despite poor possession before Croatia hit back after the change of ends through an accurate Ivan Perisic header (55th minute).