World Cup LIVE: Croatia vs Denmark EXTRA TIME latest score; Luka Modric penalty saved

Croatia and Denmark go into tonight’s last 16 clash at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium knowing tournament hosts Russia await in the quarter-finals.

Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved Koke’s and Iago Aspas’ spot kicks in their first ever penalty shoot-out to send the hosts through following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.

Croatia are seeking to emulate their best result in 1998, when they reached the semi-finals and finished third after a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the play-off.

Denmark’s best result at a World Cup was also in 1998, when they reached the quarter-finals, beaten by eventual runners-up Brazil.

CROATIA 1-1 DENMARK – JORGENSEN (1), MANDZUKIC (4)

Croatia XI: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Brozovic, Rebic, Modric, Perisic, Mandzukic.

Denmark XI: Schmeichel, Knudsen, Kjaer, Mathias Zanka Jorgensen, Dalsgaard, Christensen, Delaney, Eriksen, Poulsen, Cornelius, Braithwaite.

CROATIA 0-0 DENMARK – BADELJ SAVED

CROATIA 0-0 DENMARK – ERIKSEN SAVED

PAUSE: The winners face Russia in the quarter-final remember.

PAUSE: Time for the coin flip in the middle of the park. Luka Modric looks slightly distracted. Denmark to take the first one.

CROATIA 1-1 DENMARK

FT: Take a deep breath folks. We’re going to penalties. Who fancies taking one? Go on, hands up!

31: I suspect Croatia aren’t going to fancy facing Kasper Schmeichel in a shootout…

30: Luka Modric lets fly from distance to make amends but he’s sent it wide. That might be the last chance.

28: Interesting to note that Zanka is booked, not sent off. No idea why. New double jeopardy rules I suppose.

27: The ITV cameras instantly panned to Peter Schmeichel in the stands. He’s punching the air like his son has saved Denmark’s World Cup dream. Oh wait, he has!

CROATIA 1-1 DENMARK – MISSED PENALTY

25: Oh. My. Word. Luka Modric has seen his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel with four minutes remaining in stoppage time. Scenes, absolute scenes.

PENALTY TO CROATIA

24: Luka Modric slices through the Denmark defence to find the overlapping Rebic. Zanka brings him down and the referee has no choice but to point to the spot.

23: Nicolai Jorgensen finds himself unmarked at the back post but he’s sent Knudsen’s cross into the side-netting.

21: This always happens in the second period of extra time. Everyone’s frozen and scared of making a mistake so there’s plenty of aimless hoofs.

20: Mario Mandzukic is knackered. He’s replaced by Badelj for the closing stages.

18: Sisttooooooo… no. The rapid substitute spins and looks to bend one into the far corner. It lands a few yards wide.

17: Bosh. Kovacic unleashes a cannon from distance that’s blocked by Kjaer. That’s almost certainly going to leave a bruise, but I doubt he’ll care if they make it to the quarter-finals.

15: There’s a change for Denmark, perhaps with penalties in mind as Sisto replaces Braithwaite. Sisto is an extremely unpredictable fella.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Jack: The thought that one of these teams or Russia will be in the World Cup semi-finals is pretty upsetting. Is international football going through a drought?

Ross: They better at least have the courtesy to give us a penalty shootout after this terrible game.

Kyle: We should have just went to penalties after four minutes, average game at best. The more you see this side of the draw if we beat a dangerous Colombia side on Tuesday we have a great chance of getting to the final now.

CROATIA 1-1 DENMARK

HT: We’ve reached half-time in extra-time. 15 minutes until the lottery of penalties… again!

14: Gareth Southgate will be licking his lips at the prospect of Croatia being eliminated on the same day as Spain. Denmark really shouldn’t cause England too many problems and it’s a potential semi-final match-up!

12: Gorgeous turn from Schone, who sends Kovacic back to Zagreb before firing wide. Denmark are definitely, definitely on top right now.

10: Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has no option but to make a change. His side have offered nothing. Former Leicester striker Kramaric is on for Perisic.

35-year-old Krohn-Dehli replaces Delaney for Denmark.

8: You can’t keep Knudsen now! The defender charges into the penalty area and should go down under a dodgy tackle from Vrsaljko but continues and wins the corner. He’ll certainly win the fair play award…

5: Ipswich defender Knudsen trundles up field to deliver another long throw-in. He’s stuck it in the penalty area but Croatia are winning the important headers.

Now I’m pretty sure this guy is only playing because of his throw-in abilities. That’s a lesson for you youngsters wanting to play in a World Cup…

3: A quick look at these side’s penalty history. It’s only brief…

Croatia record: P 1 W 0 L 1 (European Championship)

Denmark record: P 2 W 1 L 1 (European Championship)

Neither side have featured in a World Cup shoot-out before, and only Denmark know what it feels like to win one – beating reigning champions Holland on the way to their stunning Euro 92 success.

1: I’ve reset the clock for 30 minutes of extra time and we’re back underway. Remember, a fourth substitute is permitted should Denmark or Croatia wish to make one.

BREAK…

FT: Theres’s just enough time for the players to take on some water and have a sneaky look at the tactics sheet.

I hope one of the coaches has scribbled down: “Score a goal.”

CROATIA 1-1 DENMARK

FT: A dreary second half comes to a close and for the second time today, we’re heading to extra time.

93: One last corner for Denmark. If they score, they win. Eriksen to deliver… wide. Subasic punches clear and Braithwaite volleys wide. That might be that.

92: Inches! Rakitic nearly sends Croatia into ecstasy with a fierce low strike that flies narrowly past the post. I think Schmeichel probably had it covered on reflection. As you were…

90: Tremendous work from Pivaric, who beats his marker about five times before delivering a low cutback into the box. Six white shirts crowded the ball before Perisic could connect.

Three minutes added time.

89: Please, please score. I really can’t take another 30 minutes of this.

88: Nearly. Just nearly. Pivaric tees up Perisic with a flat cross from the left, but he’s flicked it over the crossbar.

85: The cameras have just panned to a child in the crowd playing on a games console rather than watching to football. I don’t blame the lad. Strinic is off, Pivaric comes on.

84: Ouch! Mateo Kovacic goes to ground clutching his shoulder, which looks like it dislocated on impact. Ice pack on the shoulder and he’s back up again.

83: Remember when we had two goals inside the first five minutes? That now seems like a very long time ago…

80: WHAT ARE CROATIA DOING?! I can’t believe their levels have dropped so much from their group matches. The pressure really is doing a number on Luka Modric and Co.

78: This is heading for extra time. No doubt about it.

75: And another opportunity for Denmark. They really have stifled Croatia. Christian Eriksen picks up a loose ball around 18 yards from goal but doesn’t connect properly.

73: Big chance! Poulsen shifts the ball to his left and threads it over to Nicolai Jorgensen, who ignores better options and tamely strikes at Subasic.

70: There is dangerously little happening folks. I wasn’t expecting fireworks but this battle of attrition is tough to watch.

Brozovic is replaced by Manchester United target Kovacic. Let’s see if he’s capable of doubling his price-tag.

68: Cornelius off, Feyenoord striker Jorgensen replaces him. The ITV commentator felt the need to inform us that Jorgensen’s wife is on a television show equivalent to ‘The Real Housewives of Cheshire.’

65: In a game devoid of incident, Kasper Schmeichel’s weird punch when he could easily have caught it is noteworthy. It was a meaty punch if that makes any difference…

63: Braithwaite and Poulsen exchange a couple of passes but Vrsaljko is there to stop him from pulling the trigger.

60: I can’t lie. This is getting extremely tedious. Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination.

58: Braithwaite is slightly too clever when trying to flick the ball back to himself. He’s successful in the flick aspect but shanks the shot into orbit.

55: This must be a different Croatia side to the one that hammered Argentina earlier in the competition. They’ve shown precious little and allowed Denmark to grab a hold of this game.

53: Still find it amusing that Andreas Cornelius was once described as Cardiff’s worst ever signing at £8million. He only played 11 games there!

50: Denmark have had to work really hard to keep Croatia quiet. I wonder if the energy levels will take their toll as the match progresses. No early chances since the break.

46: BREAKING: Andres Iniesta has called time on his Spain career after their shock World Cup exit to Russia this afternoon. You can find more reaction to that HERE.

CROATIA 1-1 DENMARK

45: And we’re back underway folks. We’ve already had one penalty shoot-out today, are we going to have a second?

Christensen is replaced by Schone. The Chelsea defender looked exhausted.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Ben: Boring, dull, defensive organisation, anti football having a good day today. Russia parked every bus – a joke. Danes a cure for insomnia.

Tommy: Croatia have been poor. Luka Modric looks like he’s been told to play in defence and not have any shots on Target.

Aaron: Let’s stop knocking on defensively astute teams. It’s NOT the most exciting way to win a game but it is a way to win. Just ask Russia. Nobody gives the World Cup trophy to the team that looked easiest on the eye.

SPOOKY…

HT: Spooky. Mathias Jorgensen is the new holder of Denmark’s quickest World Cup goal. The previous holder is… Martin Jorgensen against Brazil in 1998!

2018 team-mate Nicolai is the only other Jorgensen to appear for them, too!

CROATIA 1-1 DENMARK

HT: Rakitic has a golden opportunity to score on the stroke of half time but he drags the ball into the ground and Schmeichel collects.

There was also a major concern for Mario Mandzukic, who hit the deck with what looked to be an Achilles injury. He’s back in the dressing room but I’d be surprised to see him play the second half.

44: LONG THROW SIREN! Knudsen wipes the ball down as the Denmark defenders load the box. There’s panic inside the Croatia penalty area. There needn’t be as the throw loops high and is cleared. Needs to be flatter.

43: Woodwork! Christian Eriksen attempts an audacious Cantona-esque chip from the edge of the box that clips the top of the crossbar.

41: Everyone’s expecting the net to bulge as Dejan Lovren rises unmarked inside the six-yard box. He connects with Luka Modric’s free-kick but the ball sails wide. Big chance.

38: Imagine reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup with Spain, Argentina and Germany not involved. Add to that Italy and Holland not qualifying and you’ve got yourself a serious chance of winning the whole thing.

37: Having weathered the storm, Denmark have battled their way back from the brink. Croatia haven’t carved out any chances for a while.

34: The ball sits up nicely for Eriksen… tame. Cornelius’ knockdown finds the midfielder who doesn’t properly connect.

33: They’ve got some big lads have Denmark. Cornelius uses his large frame to win a corner for the Danes, but Subasic rises highest to pluck Eriksen’s delivery out of the sky.

30: They are queuing up! Schmeichel parries Rakitic’s long-ranger straight to Perisic, who can’t control the half-volley quite like Benjamin Pavard did yesterday. Miles over.

29: Close! Former Middlesbrough star Braithwaite nearly catches Croatia cold. He sneaks in on the right but Subasic is quickly off his line to block.

28: Croatia have done their homework, not that it’s an overlay taxing task to identify that Christian Eriksen makes Denmark tick. The Spurs midfielder has had about 10 touches tonight.

26: A Mexican Wave already? Come on guys, it’s more entertaining than that!

23: Nope. Nothing doing for Croatia as referee Nestor Pitana waves play on.

22: Penalty appeal! Dalsgaard is a bit clumsy when tackling Mandzukic on the wrong side and he doesn’t need an invitation to hit the deck. We’re going to VAR…

20: Quick one for the football news amongst us. Zanka’s goal was the fastest goal at the World Cup since Clint Dempsey netted after 29 seconds for USA against Ghana in 2014.

Consider yourselves informed.

17: The game has settled considerably since the breathtaking opening. Denmark aren’t looking like too much of a creative force as Cornelius aimlessly punts a ball into orbit.

14: Croatia are asserting themselves now. Denmark are chasing shadows as Modric, Brozovic and Perisic stretch them from right to left.

12: Another long throw incoming… cleared. I think we should introduce some kind of siren when once of these things is launched. Deadly weaponry for Denmark.

9: Croatia vs Denmark is only the second match in World Cup history to see both teams score inside four minutes, after Argentina vs Nigeria in June 2014.

6: Here’s me thinking that this would be a quiet affair that I could simultaneously eat my dinner (chicken, rice and peppers if you’re asking) while reporting. Nope!

I have just seen two of the luckiest goals in the entire World Cup in a bonkers start.

CROATIA 1-1 DENMARK – MANDZUKIC

4: I repeat my first statement. What?!

What a ridiculous start to this last 16 tie as Juventus star Mario Mandzukic levels inside four minutes.

If the first was sloppy, this takes it to a new level. Kjaer’s clearance ricochets off Christensen’s face and drops for Mandzukic, who converts from two-yards out.

3: Denmark manager Age Hareide was criticised for lacking imagination against France. I think he’s had the last laugh with a deep Rory Delap-esque throw-in doing the trick!

CROATIA 0-1 DENMARK – JORGENSEN

1: What?! It’s taken Denmark less than a minute to rock Croatia as they take the lead from a long throw.

The Croatian defence failed to deal with Knudsen’s ball into the penalty area and after Thomas Delaney had got a touch, defender Mathias Jorgensen pounced to score his first senior international goal from close range.

1: Both nations traditionally play in red, neither is wearing it tonight. Croatia are in blank while Denmark wear white. Not that your watching it on television if you’re reading on here so I’ll just shut up!

CROATIA 0-1 DENMARK

1: OK, three down and five remaining. Who will join Russia in a quarter-final showdown. We’re about to find out.

ANTHEMS…

18:57: I still LOVE that ‘Seven Nation Army’ by the White Stripes plays as both sides emerge from the tunnel. I don’t think there’s a better song to ramp up the atmosphere.

National anthems are done and dusted. We’re nearly there. Will Spurs past or present decide this one with Christian Eriksen and Luka Modric hoping to make the difference.

Whatever happens, I’m sure Daniel Levy will be proud…

READY?

18:55: I don’t know about you but I’m emotionally exhausted after Russia’s victory. Saying that, I’m hoping for some more entertaining football tonight. Surely these two won’t disappoint in that department?

Lovely lip stick above. I’ll do mine later…

MIDFIELD MASTERCLASS

18:50: Croatia’s case as dark horses to win the World Cup is mostly down to the creativity of their two midfield masters, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.

The pair are good enough to excel at Real Madrid and Barcelona and can dictate the tempo of a game against the best opposition.

Coming up against Denmark pitches them against Christian Eriksen.

It will be a fascinating battle as the Tottenham playmaker is also capable of winning a game with a moment of brilliance, particularly from set-piece situations around the penalty area.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Lily: You know what, England’s chances are looking considerably better. Belgium, Brazil and France are in top branch so all but one will be knocked out before England would meet any of them. Only big threat between now and finals is Croatia (assuming we are indeed good enough to beat Colombia and Switzerland/Sweden).

Tom: I think England have to take every game as it comes, and arguably Croatia are the toughest team left in our half, but this tournament is wide open and anything can happen, but as an England fan you have to start feeling that little bit of “this could be our year.”

Aaron: England are the youngest and fastest team in their half of the draw. Do you think Russia could have held out if they had Alli, Lingard and Sterling running at them for 90 minutes, with Kane lurking? No team left can, I think. Let’s believe.

TEAM NEWS – CROATIA

18:48: Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has brought back his big-name players for tonight’s last 16 clash against Denmark, restoring striker Mario Mandzukic, midfielder Ivan Rakitic and defender Dejan Lovren who were rested for their final Group D game.

Croatia’s captain and veteran playmaker Luka Modric played in that game, however, and was leads the team again. He has scored two goals in Croatia’s charge to the last 16 with three wins out of three.

TEAM NEWS: DENMARK

18:45: Danish coach Age Hareide, criticised for a defensive approach in the 0-0 draw with France that guaranteed their passage to the next round, gives a first outing of the tournament to defender Jonas Knudsen.

The Danes have not lost in their last 18 FIFA sanctioned matches and will be looking to their playmaker, Christian Eriksen, to open up Croatia, who have conceded just one goal so far in Russia.

Striker Yussuf Poulsen returns for Denmark after suspension.

CROATIA vs DENMARK

18:40: And here are your line-ups folks. No surprises with all the big guns on display.

Croatia XI: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Brozovic, Rebic, Modric, Perisic, Mandzukic.

Subs: Livakovic, Corluka, Kovacic, Kramaric, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Badelj, Pjaca, Pivaric, Lovre Kalinic.

Denmark XI: Schmeichel, Knudsen, Kjaer, Mathias Zanka Jorgensen, Dalsgaard, Christensen, Delaney, Eriksen, Poulsen, Cornelius, Braithwaite.

Subs: Lossl, Krohn-Dehli, Vestergaard, Kvist, Nicolai Jorgensen, Dolberg, Fischer, Larsen, Lerager, Schone, Sisto, Ronnow.

Referee: Nestor Pitana.

HAVE YOUR SAY

18:35: If you want to vent your frustrations, or discuss any issues in the world of football (within reason), then get in touch!

You can either comment at the bottom of the page or contact me via Twitter using the hashtag #ExpressSport.

WELCOME

18:30: Hello everyone, welcome to our LIVE coverage of the World Cup.

Wait, before I start blabbering on about tonight’s showdown at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium It would be irresponsible of me to ignore some breaking news.

I’m hearing that football is definitely coming home now that Russia have knocked Spain out of the World Cup on penalties.

That means that ONE of the following sides will be in the World Cup Final.

Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, England, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland.

I’ll be passing around brown paper bags shortly so that nobody hyperventilates. Let’s get going!