By Anna Italia
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Italian Soccer Serie A Blog supports Italian Serie A players in the World Cup

53% Ball Possession CROATIA and 47% Ball Possession DENMARK

Croatia 1 (3) – 1 (2) Denmark

4′ Mario Mandzukic                           1′ Mathias Jørgensen

Croatia qualifying for the FIFA  World Cup Quarterfinals after defeating Denmark on penalty shootouts in the Round of 16 game on Sunday 1 July 2018 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.    The game had 2 early goals in less than 5 minutes, then, neither of the team could score more goals.   Final score is Croatia 1 (3) and 1 (2) Denmark.

The game had to be decided with penalty shootouts. A record in this World Cup is that Denmark Mathias Jorgensen is the new holder of the quickest World Cup goal. The previous holder was Martin Jorgensen in 1998.  In penalty shootouts, it is Ivan Rakitic to convert the winner penalty sending Croatia into the World Cup Quarter-finals!!!

The match started well for Denmark opening the score in the 1st minute.   Mathias Jorgensen defeating Croatia goalkeeper with a left footed shot in the bottom left corner. The assist is by Thomas Delaney. Talking about a fast goal.  BAM!!!

Don’t you just love how football does weird things sometimes.

Well, Mathias Jorgensen is the new holder of #DEN‘s quickest #WorldCup goal. The previous holder: Martin Jorgensen (vs #BRA in 98)!

2018 team-mate Nicolai is the only other Jorgensen to appear for them, too!#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/o4u1lC8eMO

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

Croatia equalized for the 1-1 in the 4th minute. It is Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic to take care of business defeating Denmark goalkeeper Schmeichel with a right footed shot in the bottom left corner.

Have you calmed down now, #CRO & #DEN?

Two goals inside the first four minutes, from a Social Media point of view, is a bit much! ?

*Quietly has a word with oneself to up their game*#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/ZHMmjDDuZH

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

The phrase “good things come to those who wait” clearly hasn’t been translated into Croatian ??#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/CECY6b24Is

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

Croatia had the chance to take the led after Referee Nestor Pitana gave them a penalty. Yet, in the 118th minute, Captain Luka Modric failed to convert it because the goalkeeper saved it in the bottom right corner. What a drama! A suspense!

DRAMA! KASPER SCHMEICHEL SAVES A PENALTY!

Ante Rebic was brought down, but Luka Modric couldn’t convert! ?

Does this mean even more penalties?!?#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/kOqn2caoc6

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

Only one keeper has saved 3 penalties in a shoot-out before Danijel Subasic

It happened exactly on this day in 2006 – approximately 12 years & 3 hours ago, when Ricardo helped #POR knock out #ENG

With Schmeichel also saving 3 today, 1 July is clearly a day for keepers!#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/sAVJewO2yP

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

#DEN‘s Kasper Schmeichel saved an incredible three penalties today.

Here’s his @Budweiser #ManoftheMatch interview following #CRODEN… pic.twitter.com/7zC77udICw

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

CROATIA (4-2-3-1): Subašić; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinić; Rakitić, Brozović; Rebić, Modrić, Perisić; Mandžukić.

Coach: Dalić.

DENMARK (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Knudsen, Kjaer, Christensen, Dalsgaard; Delaney, M. Jørgensen; Poulsen, Eriksen, Braithwaite; Cornelius.

Coach: Hareide.

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Italian Serie A Players with Croatia and Denmark

Croatia National team: 6 Italian Serie A players: Sampdoria defender Ivan Strinic, Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj, Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic, Inter forward Ivan Perisic, and AC Milan forward Nikola Kalinic

Denmark National team: 2 Italian Serie A players, Udinese defender Jens Stryger and Atalanta forward Andreas Cornelius

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The teams are in the building for #CRODEN!

Where in the world are you watching the game tonight?

? TV listings ? https://t.co/xliHcxWvEO
? Live Blog ? https://t.co/tnoXzqtBad pic.twitter.com/UtzM1TCk9u

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

Ok now, deep breath everyone, as we’re not done yet ?#RUS are into the quarter-finals. Who’s joining them? #CRO or #DEN?

Here are your 22 starters for #CRODEN pic.twitter.com/14GPt5kKmd

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

#CRODEN // FORMATIONS

They’re ready ?

We’re ready (after 5 minutes in a darkened room to calm down) ?

Are you ready? ? pic.twitter.com/b1BTTBT20W

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

Incredible. Simply incredible.

Not sure we’ll see a shoot-out like that again for a while! Five saves, but #CRO take it.#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/BDF10UDA0T

— FIFA World Cup ? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2018

2018 FIFA World Cup
Round of 16

Croatia 1 – 1 Denmark
Sunday 1 July 2018
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

21:00 (local time)

Referee: PITANA Nestor (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: MAIDANA Hernan (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: BELATTI Juan Pablo (ARG)
Fourth official: CACERES Enrique (PAR)
Video Assistant Referee: VIGLIANO Mauro (ARG)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1: DIAZ Roberto (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: VARGAS Gery (BOL)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 3: ORSATO Daniele (ITA)