Dominik Livakovic deserves a statue in Croatia for his contributions to his country during this World Cup.
Few may have heard or known about him before the tournament began, but he's clearly making a name for himself in Qatar with his match-winning performances between the sticks.
The 27-year-old is the reason Croatia has advanced to the World Cup semifinals for the second time in a row, and don't be surprised if he eventually leads the small footballing nation to their first World Cup trophy.Against one of, if not the, clear favorites (Brazil), Livakovic demonstrated his ability as a big game player with a series of breathtaking saves, including one to deny Rodrygo during the penalty shootouts.
Dominik made 11 saves (7 from close range), completed 26 passes, recorded an 81 percent pass accuracy, and conceded just once in 120 minutes.
Livakovic then saved Rodrygo's penalty kick, becoming the first and only goalkeeper in World Cup history to make four penalty shootout saves.This incredible goalie currently plays for Dinamo Zagreb, but based on his recent performances, big clubs all over Europe could be interested in him as early as January.
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Following Argentina's dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands, Emiliano Martinez slammed "useless" referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.
The goalkeeper was the hero, saving from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis as La Albiceleste won 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in which they surrendered a 2-0 lead.
The performance of referee Lahoz was a major talking point at Lusail Stadium, with the Spanish official issuing 15 yellow cards during the tense match, the most in World Cup history.He also added 10 minutes at the end of regulation time, when the Netherlands scored a dramatic last-gasp equalizer through Wout Weghorst to force extra time.
"The referee is ineffective. "Hopefully, we won't have to deal with that referee anymore," Martinez said before dedicating the victory to his countrymen.
"Emotion is the first thing that comes to mind," he added. "I do this on behalf of 45 million people." Giving people such joy is the most important thing right now. We are in the semi-finals because we have heart and passion. We're thrilled, and so are the people.""On that walk to the point of the penalty, I was very calm because I trust my work," said Lautaro, who scored the game-winning penalty. I was thinking about my daughter as I caught the ball. "She transformed my life."
Alexis MacAllister anticipates a "very difficult" semi-final clash with Croatia, who stunned Brazil on penalties earlier in the day, while Rodrigo de Paul relishes the moment.
"I'm excited because I put in a lot of effort to make these things happen," the midfielder explained. "Playing in a World Cup semi-final is not something that happens every day.""The plan was to arrive on the first day and leave on the last." We came back from a defeat at the start. Hopefully, these incredible moments will continue. I tell people to have fun with it because it belongs to everyone."
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