Japan vs Croatia: prediction for the 2022 FIFA World Cup match

Japan national team heroically qualified from the first place in the group which had such opponents as Germany, Spain, and Costa Rica. They created a sensation in the first round of matches. After conceding an early goal to Germany, Hajime Moriyasu's men mounted a fantastic comeback and beat the favourites with a score of 2:1. Despite the Blues' best efforts, they couldn't secure qualification in the second game - Japan lost to Costa Rica (0:1). Their last group game was very similar to the first one - Japan conceded an early goal but then turned the game around and overcame Spain (2:1). 

Croatia national team, unlike their opponent, were one of the favourites in their group. After an unconvincing performance against Morocco (0:0), the Checkered Ones delivered four goals against Canada (4:1). With four points, they needed to not lose to Belgium in the third game to secure a spot in the last 16. Zlatko Dalic's men played a very careful defensive game, allowing the opponent to dominate, but they didn't concede, which in the end was enough - a goalless draw brought them the fifth point and a ticket to the playoffs.