Who is Croatia star Dominik Livakovic? Goalkeeper facing Morocco in third-place playoff

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Dominik Livakovic Croatia World Cup 2022
(Getty Images)

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is among the Golden Glove favourites as his nation takes on Morocco in the World Cup third-place playoff.

After Brazil's 4-1 destruction of South Korea in the Round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, many expected their quarterfinal contest with Croatia to be similarly full of goals and another simple win.

Yet the Selecao found themselves on the wrong end of the result at Education City Stadium. Croatia showed the trademark resilience that made them World Cup finalists back in 2018 and took the match to extra time and then penalites. Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, two of the more well known stars of the Croatian team, were integral once again in midfield.

The European nation were heavily reliant on Livakovic to keep Brazil at bay in the second half and then when the game went to penalties.

While Livakovic fell short in the semifinal against Argentina, he has certainly made a name for himself in Qatar.

The Sporting News provides some background here on an unexpected star of the World Cup knockout stages.

Who is Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic?

The 27-year-old Livakovic is a goalkeeper for Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. He came through the academy at rival side, the amateur outfit NK Zagreb, before making his senior debut in 2012.

In 2015 he sealed a move to the bigger side, 23-time Croatian league title winners (and current reigning champions) Dinamo. He's named Manchester United's David de Gea and Spanish icon Iker Casillas among his goalkeeping idols.

Dominik Livakovic Croatia Croacia
(Getty Images)

Where does Croatia goalkeeper Livakovic play?

Dinamo Zagreb retain Livakovic's services and the goalkeeper has never played outside of his home nation.

He has picked up 38 caps for his national team, though, making his debut in 2017. He and Dinamo Zagreb might find that, after the World Cup in Qatar, the 'keeper receives some transfer interest.

He made more saves in the 90 minutes against Brazil that ended 0-0 than opposite number Alisson had in the entire tournament to that point.

Livakovic contract, transfer fee

His current contract expires in June 2024 and his current transfer value, as per Transfermarkt is €8.50m although it will no doubt increase after the World Cup, especially if he wins the Golden Glove award presented to the tournament's top goalkeeper.

He's been linked with a potential move to Turkish club Fenerbahce in the past, but could attract Premier League or top European league interest in the future after a display like the one versus Brazil.

Livakovic penalty record

A viral video has been doing the rounds of Croatia legend and veteran Luka Modric giving the goalkeeper a pep talk which has clearly worked as he's denied both Japan and Brazil from spot-kicks to seal a spot in the semifinals.

Going into the World Cup, Livakovic had saved 14 of 54 penalties faced in his career. And he added to that impressive record with a hat-trick of saves in the shootout against Japan, after the game had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, and then another save from Rodrygo in the shootout against Brazil.

Marquinhos also missed for Brazil, smashing his effort off the post, which proved vital as Croatia prevailed 4-2 on penalties. They will meet either Argentina or Netherlands in the semi-final.

Brazil had eight shots but none of them found their way past the Croatian No.1 — and he was duly described as "the man of the game" by UK pundit Micah Richards afterwards.

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Dominic Booth Photo

Dominic is a freelance content editor and writer for The Sporting News.