Runner-up world champions Croatia secured a good starting position for the group finals thanks to double packer Andrej Kramaric. The Balkan veterans shrugged off the 68-second shock of Bayern star Alphonso Davies and defeated the Canadians, who were celebrating their first goal in their World Cup history, 4-1 (2-1).
Hoffenheim’s Kramaric (26′, 70′), Marko Livaja (44′) and Lovro Majer (90′ + 4′) turned the game around in front of 44,374 spectators at the Khalifa International Stadium. “It’s a great feeling to score two goals here in a World Cup. A special moment,” said the delighted Kramaric. A draw against perennial co-favourites Belgium on Thursday is now enough for the Balkan veterans to secure a place in the round of 16.
Canada, co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, also lost their fifth game in their finals history despite Davies’ bang (2nd) and, as the second team after hosts Qatar, stand no chance to reach the eighths.
The match was preceded by a small controversy between the coaches. After Canada’s unfortunate opening loss to Belgium (0-1), John Herdman had used the phrase “We’re going to screw Croatia” when he addressed his team. Vatreni coach Zlatko Dalic found out and was not at all happy about it: “We respect everyone, so we expect our opponents to respect us too.”
Dalic’s players, on the other hand, got too much respect from Canadians at first. Davies’ powerful header, which was the first goal by a Bayern player and the fastest goal so far at this World Cup, gave the Croatians a violent jolt after 68 seconds.
Croatia sends Canada home
The 2018 World Cup finalist defeated with Bundesliga pros Kramaric, RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol and VfB Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa were left vulnerable in defence. Canada, on the other hand, performed imprecisely in the final third. This should pay off soon.
The “golden midfield” of the Croatians with Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic ripped the ropes after a good 20 minutes. After Kramaric’s one-on-one (26′), the ball slipped into the net, but Livaja was already offside.
All was well ten minutes later when Kramaric equalized, a now deserved one, from Ivan Perisic’s pass. Croatia was now clearly overweight, after Livaja’s long-range goal, the “chessboard” was also on its way to the result.
Canada bowled all forward after the break. Goalkeeper Milan Borjan, born in present-day Croatia, made a brilliant save against independent Kramaric from a two-goal deficit in the 54th minute. Croatia continued to play it down patiently, and soon after Kramaric clarified everything from a more difficult position.
Croatia – Canada: The rumors about the match
Zlatko Dalic (Croatia coach): “Canada was full of energy and power, but we continued to believe in ourselves even after conceding goals. This group is difficult, we are at the World Cup. We came back very well, it was a great win, so I’m happy. We showed strength, power and quality.”
John Herdman (Canada national coach): “It was a great start, a great moment for our fans. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. The second goal conceded just before the break turned the game around. I’m still proud of the guys. We just couldn’t equalize. The more we have risked, the more open we were against an opponent of great quality”.
Croatia – Canada: the data of the match
Croatia: Livakovic – Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa – Brozovic – Modric (ab 86. Pasalic), Kovacic (ab 86. Majer) – Livaja (ab 60. Petkovic), Kramaric (ab 73. Vlasic), Perisic (86. Orsic ). – Coach: Dadic
You have: Borjan – Johnston, Vitoria, Miller, Laryea (ab 62. Hoilett) – Eustaquio (ab 46. Kone), Hutchinson (ab 73. Adekugbe) – Buchanan, Davies – Larin (ab 46. Osorio), J. David (ab 72 Cavallini). – Coach: shepherd
referee: Andres Matonte (Uruguay)
Ripped: 0:1 Davies (2.), 1:1 Kramaric (36.), 2:1 Livaja (44.), 3:1 Kramaric (70.), 4:1 Majer (90.+4)
Spectators: 44,374 (in Ar-Rayyan)
Yellow cards: Lovren, Modric – Buchanan, Miller
