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Keeper kudos: Schmeichel & Subasic win praise for performances in latest World Cup thriller
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.
Goalkeepers are generally under appreciated but when you get @kschmeichel1 & @SubasicDanijel performing like that in such tense situations it makes me glad I chose that position too! 🙌 #Worldcup2018Russia #CRODEN
— © MCMLXXXII (@Stewpendous82) July 1, 2018
He gave in all he had. Well played Kasper. Hard luck Denmark#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/Rj6E6pIHiH
— Roque Sr. (@roque5oroma) July 1, 2018
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
@kschmeichel1 best goal tending I've ever seen. Def the man of the match in my book. Brilliant, mate. Well done. #CRODEN #Worldcup #ManoftheMatch
— Lee Uh (@illestviking) July 1, 2018
What a game. Here’s to you x #CRODEN pic.twitter.com/LNwxISfZql
— Sarah 🇭🇷 🇭🇷 🇭🇷 (@CQEdinburgh) July 1, 2018
WHAT A GOAL Keepers !!!😯😯😯😯😯😯😯😯
— احمد الدهلوي (@AlmustasharS) July 1, 2018
Both of them are sooo good.#CRODEN pic.twitter.com/FQdGJXdBfO
people knowing only #Messi and #Ronaldo in the world of football updating #GoCroatia #CRO #CRODEN
— Saptashwa. (@trimmednosehair) July 1, 2018
funny world this.#WorldCup
Modric survives the scare.. woah... that would've comforted him...
— Rehan M. R. Arshad (@RehanToday) July 1, 2018
Great keeping by both goalkeepers. Hardluck #DEN!
Congratulations #CRO. Be ready for #RUS in QFs.#WorldCup #CRODEN
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.