Alphonso Davies (22) heads into the history books!
The Bayern star scored Canada’s first World Cup goal in the 4-1 defeat against runners-up Croatia.
The left-back only needed 68 seconds for this. A Buchanan cross quickly nods Davies to the historic goal (2nd).
With the lightning goal, he makes up for his penalty buck from the opening game. In the 1-0 draw with Belgium, he poorly missed a penalty that would have given Canada the lead.
Against Croatia, despite a quick start, it is not enough for Canada’s first point at a World Cup. In addition to this year’s participation, the North Americans had already competed in Mexico in 1986 at the world’s largest football tournament.
At that time, Canada was eliminated without a point or a goal in a group with the Soviet Union, Hungary and France. At the Qatar World Cup, Davies and Co. can at least celebrate for the first time 36 years later.
Costa Rica surprise This win gives us LOTS of World Cup hope!
Croatia turns the game around before half-time: First, Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric (31) equalizes with his first shot on goal at the World Cup (36′), then Marko Livaja (29) scores from a good 20 meters to make it 2-1 ( 44.).
As with Belgium’s bankruptcy, the Canadians are surprisingly strong against Croatia. Kramaric’s second goal to make it 3-1 made the decision a good twenty minutes before the end (70′).
In the direct Bundesliga duel with Davies, the Hoffenheim clipper triumphed in the end. Lovro Majer scored the final score in added time (90′ + 4′).
For Davies and his Canadians, the defeat has already ended the World Cup. With Croatia and Morocco on four points after two games, Canada’s last game against Morocco on Thursday is all about possible first points at the World Cup.
Croatia can also bag the group victory on Thursday with a three point in the last group game against Belgium.
The Croatian start serves as a good omen: for the third time in its World Cup history, Croatia is unbeaten after two games. In the previous two cases, you ended up third (1998) and second (2018).
