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Keeper kudos: Schmeichel & Subasic win praise for performances in latest World Cup thriller

2 Jul, 2018 07:05
Keeper kudos: Schmeichel & Subasic win praise for performances in latest World Cup thriller
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Max Rossi / Reuters

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 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.

READ MORE: Russia 4-3 Spain (pens) - Heroic hosts snatch improbable shootout victory to stun Spain in Moscow

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.