FIFA World Cup 2022: Japan results, scores and standings

Japan are out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 after being beaten 3-1 on penalties by Croatia in the round of 16 on Monday (5 December).

Maeda Daizen gave Japan the lead in the 44th minute, but Ivan Perisic equalised in the 55th minute becoming his country's all-time leading scorer at major tournaments with 10 goals.

Neither team managed to score again, and after a closely contested additional 30 minutes of football, the game went to penalties.

Saved penalties from Minamino Takumi and Mitoma Kaoru put Japan behind from the start, and when captain Yoshida Maya missed his attempt the Samurai Blue's dreams were all but over. 

While Croatia's goalie Dominik Livakovic was the hero of the game with three saved penalites, it was Mario Pasalic who sealed the win sending Japan home.

The Japanese team led by 24-year-old Arsenal defender Tomiyasu Takehiro, and coached by former international Moriyasu Hajime, got off to the perfect start with a 2-1 win over four-time world champion Germany on 23 November, before losing 1-0 to Costa Rica.

But they capped off their impressive performance in Group E with another upset 2-1 victory over Spain to reach the round of 16.

FIFA World Cup 2022 top goal-scorers: Race for the Golden Boot

FIFA World Cup 2022: Japan soccer team results, scores and fixtures

Group E**:**

Wednesday 23 November

Match: Germany vs Japan 1-2 (Khalifa International Stadium)

Scorers: Germany - Ilkay Gundogan (P, 33'); Japan - Doan Ritsu (75'), Asano Takuma (83').

Sunday, 27 November (Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)

Match: Japan 0 Costa Rica 1

Scorer: Keysher Fuller (81')

Thursday, 1 December (Khalifa International Stadium)

Match: Japan 2 Spain 1

Scorers: Spain - Alvaro Morata (11’); Japan - Ritsu Doan (48'), Ao Tanaka (51')

Round of 16:

Monday 5 December

Match: Japan 1 Croatia 1 (Croatia win 3-1 on penalties)

Scorers: Japan - Maeda Daizen (43'); Croatia - Ivan Persic (55')

FIFA World Cup 2022: Group E points table and standings