Goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Daniel Subasic have been lauded with praise for their performances in the World Cup last 16 tie between Denmark and Croatia, decided by a dramatic penalty shootout in Nizhny Novgorod.
READ MORE: Croatia beat Denmark on penalties to set up World Cup quarter-final with Russia
Rarely are keepers singled out for plaudits, such is the fine line between success and failure between the sticks, but such were the performances of Denmark’s Schmeichel and Croatia’s Subasic in their last 16 match the two were hailed as joint man of the match winners by Twitter users.
The best game ever!!!! What a goalkeepers both sides had in this game! In the end there is only one winner . Well played denmark #CRODEN #WorldCupRussia2018
— Mohammed Jamal (@Mohamme56832411) July 1, 2018
WHAT A GOAL Keepers !!!😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯
Both of them are sooo good.#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/FQdGJXdBfO
— احمد الدهلوي (@AlmustasharS) July 1, 2018
Modric survives the scare.. woah… that would've comforted him…
Great keeping by both goalkeepers. Hardluck #DEN!
Congratulations #CRO. Be ready for #RUS in QFs.#WorldCup #CRODEN
— Rehan M. R. Arshad (@RehanToday) July 1, 2018
The game’s scoreline stayed 1-1 after two early goal before five minutes had been played via goals from Jorgensen in the first minute and an equalizer by Mandzukic three minutes later.
Extra time could not separate the two sides, prompting a penalty shootout, which Croatia won 3-2 to set up a quarter final tie with Russia in Sochi on July 7.
It was the day’s second penalty shootout after Igor Akinfeev’s heroics helped hosts Russia to a 4-3 win on penalties over Spain at Luzhniki Stadium.
READ MORE: ‘Akinfeev deserves a statue’ – Schmeichel on Russian goalkeeping hero
Schmeichel’s father Peter, himself a former Denmark international, remarked “Akinfeev deserves a statue” following the Russian’s performance keeping out spot kicks from Koke and Aspas.
