Fans say Croatia star is ‘taking the p***’ with penalty in ‘worst shootout ever’

Fans are convinced Croatia star Marko Livaja was "taking the p***" with his feeble penalty against Japan.

Japan and Croatia could not be separated after 120 minutes of football in Monday night's World Cup last-16 clash. The Asian nation went 1-0 up courtesy of Daizen Maeda just before half-time but veteran Ivan Perisic pulled off a stunning header to level the scoring.

The affair dragged out through extra-time and ended in one of the most dismal penalty displays in World Cup history. Japan netted just one of four while the 2018 finalists scored three to progress to the quarter-finals.

READ MORE: Ex-Miss Croatia takes selfie with adoring Japan fans before World Cup clash

All three of the Japanese players' missed spot-kicks were saved as a result of some shockingly tame finishing. But the miss that truly caught the eye was Croat striker Livaja's.

With Croatia needing just one more penalty scored in order to progress, the 29-year-old opted for a relaxed run-up but appeared completely unbothered at the magnitude of the occasion as he struck the ball without any conviction.

His lacklustre effort hit the post and went out, leaving fans on social media scratching their heads at what they had seen.

Do you think Japan vs Croatia was the worst penalty shootout of all time? Let us know in the comments section.

One Twitter user wrote: "Those Japanese penalties were absolutely horrible. And yet, Livaja took the worst pen out of the lot."

Another disgruntled fan commented: "Marko Livaja took a one-step penalty there as if he's playing in me and my mates' 5-a-side tourney. Embarrassing."

Others chimed in by tweeting: "Livaja is out here taking the p*** on PK’s" and "Never touch the pitch ever again livaja pls."

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