Enthusiasm and jubilation after Canada scored their first ever goal at the Men’s World Cup gave way to dismay after Croatia bounced back with a string of goals and dashed the team’s hopes of reaching the last 16 of the tournament final.
Fans initially screamed, leapt from their seats and embraced at a sold-out watch party in downtown Toronto on Sunday as Alphonso Davies scored the historic goal.
The stellar winger and Bayern Munich player headed the ball home to give Canada a vital 1-0 lead over Croatia just after the opening minute of the match. Davies’ teammates beat the 22-year-old from Edmonton from the corner flag and the whole country celebrated.
Nearly a hundred fans in the West End, most wearing Canada’s red and white colours, cheered again during the goal replays, some shaking their heads in disbelief. But momentum faltered and fans watched calmly as Croatia responded with four goals in a row to win 4-1.
“It’s a bit disappointing, but I’m still proud of the team. You just have to make the most of it, have fun,” said Canadian fan and former soccer player Dominic Dike. “Everyone is proud, the whole country is proud.”
Dike described the team’s strong performance and Davies’ goal as a “statement” showing the world that Canada can compete in the sport.
“The whole game has been a learning experience and it will only grow from here,” he said, noting that he will continue to cheer for Canada at this World Cup and beyond.
Canadian fan Tad Kitaba said he was thrilled with the only goal, which he described as historic, adding he couldn’t believe the excitement and camaraderie in the room when it happened.
“These are young players and they don’t have the experience of the world stage,” Kitaba said. “I’m not disappointed that we lost…they’ll go ahead and make it next time.”
Matthew Dicker said Davie’s goal “immediately became a historic Canadian moment”.
“It feels as good as another [Canadian] sporting moment,” he said, adding that the goal might be remembered as a defining event for soccer in Canada. He said the feeling in the room was unforgettable to see people in Toronto celebrating soccer on such a large scale.
Going into the competition, the Canadians needed at least one point to keep alive their hopes of progressing from the group stage. Croatia also needed a win after drawing 0-0 against Morocco in their opening match.
The Canadians will return home from Qatar following the conclusion of Thursday’s tournament match against Morocco where they hope to go off on a winning streak. The men failed to score or pick up a point in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat by Belgium. Though they shined in their first match at the international soccer spectacle in 36 years, they failed to capitalize on a fair number of chances.
The national team failed to score or secure a point in its first tournament participation in 1986 and was eliminated in the first round in Mexico after three defeats.
Lauren Wharton, a soccer player at Central Technical School in Toronto, said it’s great just to watch the game with the passionate Canadian fans.
“Honestly, I wanted to cry,” said Wharton, reacting to the goal. “I am happy that [Davies] understood … It seemed right to me that he was the one to score.
Davies looked set to end Canada’s World Cup losing streak in Wednesday’s opener against Belgium, but his penalty was saved by the Belgian goalkeeper.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford took to Twitter to congratulate Davies on his goal and said history was made.
The crowd erupted in applause at Montreal’s Burgundy Lion pub as Davies got Canada on the board, although the mood changed after Croatia returned.
Stathi Fokas said she was “devastated” by the loss but ultimately happy to share the “proud moment” with her friends.
“It really sucked because I really didn’t expect to concede so many goals,” said Adi Bikkani, another fan.[Canada] didn’t control the game enough.”
Contestant Nancy Cholette chose to focus on Davies’ very emotional lens.
“I’ve been following football for as long as I can remember, and just to think we scored and it was ‘Ponsie’ who scored, it was incredible,” he said. “I had tears in my eyes”
— With files of Marisela Amador in Montreal.
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This story was produced with financial support from Meta and the Canadian Press News Fellowship.
Tyler Griffin, The Canadian Press
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