The game started promisingly for the North Americans with a historic goal. Star player Alphonso Davies made it 1-0 after 68 seconds and scored the first World Cup goal in Canada’s football history. Croatia had the right answer and turned the game around before the break with goals from Andrej Kramaric (36′) and Marko Livaja (44′). Kramaric made the final score with his second goal (70′) and Lovro Majer (94′).
Canada, who last played at the World Cup in 1986, lost their fifth World Cup appearance. The last chance to get the first point is on Thursday (4:00 p.m.) against Marakko, who are in the running for a place in the knockout stages after beating Belgium 2-0. In the parallel game, there is a direct duel between Croatia and Belgium for promotion. A draw would be enough for the Croatians.
Canada’s dream start with a historic goal
After the good performance against Belgium, Canada coach John Herdman saw little reason for rotation. With Cyle Larin from Club Brugge instead of Junior Hoilett, there was only one change in attack. Despite the disappointment against Morocco, Croatia only made one change. Nikola Vlasic was replaced by Marko Livaja. The situation before the game was clear for the Canadians, a defeat would have ended the World Cup for them.
And the motivated “maple leaves” really got off to a dream start in the duel with the favourite. After a long shot by goalkeeper Milan Borjan, the ball came to Tajon Buchanan, who crossed in the middle. Davies was there and headed in after 68 seconds. The Bayern legionnaire scored the first World Cup goal in Canada’s football history. This laid the foundation for a varied game.
Croatia turns game before the break
Croatia didn’t quite digest the early shock. The Vice World Champion had problems building up the game against the aggressive Canadians, played incorrectly and was unable to create a chance. Coach Zlatko Dalic’s team only had two shots on goal against Morocco. Only in the 22nd minute did Livaja fall short after a pass from Mateo Kovacic. Canada didn’t allow much else and skillfully alternated between fast counterattacks and tight defenses.
Slowly but surely, Croatia got going. In the 26th minute, a goal by Kramaric was disallowed because passer Livaja was ruled offside. The Croatians took the action as an opportunity for their best offensive phase, which led to the deserved equalizer. Ivan Perisic served the busy Kramaric ideally in the penalty area, and the Hoffenheim legionnaire defeated goalkeeper Borjan in the far corner (35th).
The equalizer did not go unnoticed for Canada. The outsider, who seemed a bit tired, couldn’t get into the duels at all and completely lost his defensive order. Croatia took advantage of this with their class and turned the game around just before the break. Juranovic played free after dribbling Livaja. The leader of the Croatian league scored from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-1 at the break (45+1).
Croatia scores twice more
The final phase of the second half was not without an impact in terms of personnel. Canada coach John Herdman brought in two new players in Ismael Kone and Jonathan Osorio. The latter immediately responded with a dangerous long-range shot that just missed the left post (49′). The changes at Canada also had an impact on the system. Davies, who actually plays left-back at Bayern, now acted as a right-hand striker.
The game was more balanced with chances for both sides. After preliminary work by Luka Modric, Kramaric failed from the penalty spot with a poorly placed shot by Borjan (54′). At the other end, Croatia goalie Dominik Livakovic turned a shot by Jonathan David over the bar with his fingertips (56′). Canada then had great problems creating chances because the Croatians couldn’t be lured out of their reserve.
The favorite then made the preliminary decision offensively. After a cross from Perisic, Kramaric was able to calmly take the ball and scored a brace in the left corner (70′). The Canadians finally had their tooth pulled. The Croatians were much closer to the fourth goal than “Les Rouges” to the first goal. The final point was set by two “jokers”. After preliminary work by Mislav Orsic, Majer scored to make it 4-1 (94th). Canada is already preparing for the next World Cup. For 2026, the team is permanently qualified as a co-organizer.
FIFA World Cup 2022, Group F, second matchday
Sunday:
Croatia – Canada 4:1 (2:1)
al-Rajjan, Khalifa International Stadium, 44,374 spectators, SR Matonte (URU)
Torfolge:
0:1 Davies (2.)
1:1 Kramaric (36.)
2:1 Leviathan (44.)
3:1 Kramaric (70.)
4:1 Majer (94th)
Croatia: Livakovic – Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa – Modric (86./Pasalic), Brozovic, Kovacic (86./Majer) – Kramaric (73. Vlasic), Livaja (60./Petkovic), Perisic (86./Orsic)
You have: Borjan – Johnston, Vitoria, Miller, Laryea (62./Hoilett) – Buchanan, Eustaquio (46./Kone), Hutchinson (73./Adekugbe), Davies – David (72./Cavallini), Larin (46. Osorio)
Yellow cards: Lovren, Modric and Buchanan, Miller
The best: Kramaric, Perisic, Livaja and Davies
