Here go Croatia, inching across the board one square at a time, like the World Cup grandmasters of the grinding victory.
Taking as long as it takes, refusing to yield. On this occasion, it took a couple of hours of tournament attrition before goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic produced a magnificent hat-trick of penalty saves.
Only then were Japan was shaken off and Croatia free to shuffle forward one more step.
Mario Pasalic scored the match-winning spot-kick as Croatia knocked out Japan on penalties
Dominik Livakovic was the hero as he saved three Japanese spot-kicks during the shoot-out
They go into the last eight, building a menacing momentum as they did four years ago where they reached the World Cup final without winning once in 90 minutes, disposing of Denmark and Russia on penalties and England in extra-time before losing to France in Moscow.
‘We are a small nation but we never stop fighting, especially this generation of players,’ said boss Zlatko Dalic, with a passionate reminder of how Croatia finished third in France 98 as well as runners-up last time. ‘This generation is resilient, do not give up, and reflects the spirit of Croatian people.
‘We have been through much pain and the team creates pride for the nation. We had a bronze medal and a silver medal and now a quarter-final and for us this World Cup is not nearly over. We have the right to nurture hope. We have high quality and great team.’
For Japan, more heartache in the last 16, a World Cup obstacle they are unable to clear. Out at this stage for the fourth time, unable to repeat the epic results against Germany and Spain in the group stage.
They took a first half lead two minutes before half-time when a short corner routine set up Ritsu Doan to deliver a fierce in-swinging cross, which Croatia failed to defend.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has hailed the resilience of his side after their victory
Daizen Maeda fired Japan ahead shortly before the break with a well-taken left-footed strike
Ivan Perisic levelled the scoreboard with a bullet header past Shuichi Gonda in the second-half
When it bounced down, Celtic striker Daizen Maeda was the first to react, and whipped it into the net. The goal survived a VAR check for offside and Japan were worth their lead.
They had created better chances. Shogo Taniguchi headed wide from cross by Wataru Endo in the third minute. Daichi Kamada went close, twisting inside the penalty area to make space for himself but slicing off target when there were perhaps options better placed.
Croatia were strangely placid. It might have been partly a deliberate ploy to avoid falling into the same trap as Germany and Spain, who both dominated possession against Japan only to lose, beaten by quick counterattacks.
Strategic or otherwise, it did not make for thrilling entertainment. The pitch, heavy and slow, did not help and atmosphere inside the Al Janoub Stadium fell still and silent when the Japanese drummers took a breather.
Ivan Perisic forced Takehiro Tomiyasu into a mistake deep in his own defensive territory, for Croatia’s clearest chance of the first half but was unable to beat goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda from an acute angle.
It was heartbreak for Japan, who were bidding to reach their first ever World Cup quarter-final
Beyond this, they were restricted to just a few promising situations they did not have the invention to maximise against Japan’s back five. Bruno Petkovic and Andrej Kramaric among the guilty parties.
The second half opened in similar fashion, devoid of urgency, until Perisic sparked Croatia into life with a splendid header, guided inside the post from fully 12 yards out after a cross swung over, fairly hopefully from deep by Dejan Lovren.
It was his 33rd international goal and his 10th in major tournaments, with six in World Cup finals, a Croatian record now held alongside Davor Suker. More importantly, something clicked into place for his team and they settled into a better rhythm.
At 37, the powers of Luka Modric may be fading and he could not make it through extra time. He appeared exhausted when he came off but for a spell he was influential in the second half, unleashing a dipping effort to be pushed over by Gonda.
Another Perisic shot was deflected wide and substitute Ante Budimir should have done better with a free header at the back post. Briefly, they looked the most likely winners before the contest evened out again and went into extra time, where Kaoru Mitoma was closest to winning it.
Luka Modric (right), who came off midway through extra-time, congratulates his keeper
His fine run and drive from the edge of the penalty box clipped Josko Gvardiol, spun, swerved and required a good save by Livakovic on his way to his starring role in the shootout.
Japan leave Qatar having made many friends with their spirited performances, and shock victories. They have delivered smiles, too, as the tidiest team at the World Cup, cleaning up their dressing rooms and leaving behind little origami models.
They made Croatia work hard, too, but what a terrible mess they made when it came penalties.
Livakovic saved from Takumi Minamoto, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida. Only Takuma Asano scored for Japan. It may take some time for them to cleanse the heartache.
Relive Sportsmail’s live blog for the World Cup last-16 clash between Japan and Croatia, written by BEN WILLCOCKS.