After drawing 0-0 against Morocco, expectations were high for Croatia to get a good result against Canada. The two teams met at Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar on Sunday, November 27, at 19:00 local time. Canada lost their 2022 World Cup opener against Belgium 0-1.
But the group got a lot more interesting an hour before Croatia and Canada met. Morocco defeated Belgium 2-0.
This means that Morocco will have enough points to qualify for the last 16 in their last round against Canada.
Croatia’s fate largely depends on the result against Canada tonight. If Croatia wins, they also need a point in the last round against Belgium. And if they lose? Only a win is good enough in the last round.
Even if Croatia lost to Canada, there is still some hope. A win against Belgium would bring them four points. In theory, Canada and Morocco can have that much, and the goal difference will decide.
Recall, leading up to the match tonight, Canada coach John Herdman stirred the pot by saying, ‘eff Croatia.’ You can read Dalić’s response and plan for Croatia in the press conference roundup yesterday.
Lineups
Croatia: Livaković, Sosa, Gvardiol, Lovren, Juranović, Brozović, Modrić, Kovačić, Perišić, Kramarić, Livaja
Canada: Borjan, Miller, Vitoria, Johnston, Davies, Eustaquio, Hutchinson, Laryea, Buchanan, Larin, David
Match report
The match couldn’t have started with a bigger wake-up call for Croatia. Tajon Buchanan crossed into the penalty area in Canada’s first attack, in the first minute of the match. The ball found Alphonso Davies, who found a hole in the Croatia defense to head the ball in for 0-1 Canada.
Croatia attacked in the 6th minute, with Kramaric crossing into the penalty area at the Canada keeper.
Another dangerous Canada attack saw Larin 1-on-1 with Livakovic. Luckily he was called offside.
Perisic attacked up the left wing in the 10th minute and forced the ball out for a corner. Modric played short. The ball ultimately went out for a Croatia throw-in.
Croatia started to find their rhythm in the 16th minute with quick passes through the midfield. Sosa crossed into the box in the 17th minute, forcing the Canada keeper to punch the ball out. Juranovic played it back in, but the ball finished in the hands of the Canada keeper.
A Canada corner in the 19th minute was fortunately cleared by Gvardiol. Croatia looked tired, and it was only the 21st minute.
Kovacic played a brilliant ball to Livaja in the penalty area, which was just slightly too quick to get a shot off.
Canada was looking dangerous, and their quick legs were running circles around Croatia.
Croatia finally looked like they had a chance to score in the 26th minute. Croatia’s midfield moved the ball up the pitch to Livaja, who played through to Kramaric to score. Kramaric’s goal was called offside.
Lovren fouled Davies outside of the box in the 30th minute, giving Canada a dangerous free kick.
Croatia attacked well from the 30th minute. Livaja got a shot off in the 35th, which the keeper pushed out for a corner.
But Croatia’s chance finally came. Perisic nutmegged Johnson on the left wing to find Kramaric. Krama shot far post for the equalizing goal in the 36th minute!
Croatia picked up their game until the end of the half. And Hajduk Split’s Marko Livaja was the hero for Croatia this time. The striker beat the keeper and found the back of the net in the 44th minute for 2-1! Marko Livaja is the first Hajduk player to score for Croatia at the World Cup.
Five minutes of additional time were added. Croatia had a corner to finish the first half, which ended 2-1. Croatia had five attempts on goal, 4 shots on target, and 3 corner kicks in the first half.
The second half started without any changes for Croatia. Stephen Eustaquio subbed off for Ismael Kone, and Cyle Larin subbed off for Jonathan Osorio (Canada).
Canada had a dangerous chance in the 48th minute. Fresh-legged Osorio just missed the goal.
Croatia almost found the back of the next again in the 50th minute. Kovacic attacked up the midfield and played Krama on the right wing. Krama crossed it over the box to Sosa. Sosa played it back into the box and just missed Perisic and Livaja in front of the goal.
And another Croatia chance in the 54th minute. Brozovic faked and played the ball through the right wing. Juranovic crossed it into the box, and Krama’s shot was hit out for a corner by the keeper.
Canada threatened again in the 55th minute and took their second corner of the match. The ball was cleared by Gvardiol.
The Canada keeper nearly made a catastrophic mistake in the 57th minute, passing the ball straight to Perisic outside the box. Perisic crossed the ball back in, but it went straight to the keeper.
Dalic made his first sub in the 60th minute. Goalscorer Livaja was subbed off for Dinamo’s Bruno Petkovic. For Canada, Richie Laryea subbed off for Junior Hoilett.
Canada was awarded a dangerous free kick just outside the box in the next play. Davies played into the Croatia wall.
By the 67th minute, Croatia’s experience was outclassing Canada. The defense was calm and collected and first to every ball, while Canada was making careless mistakes and misjudging passes.
Big-tournament-player Andrej Kramaric wasn’t done, either. Perisic crossed the ball from the left to find Krama in the box. Krama faked the Canada defense to score far post for 3-1 Croatia in the 70th minute!
Both teams made substitutions in the 73rd minute. Jonathan David went off for Lucas Cavallini, and Atiba Hutchinson went off for Sam Adekugbe. Dalic brought off Kramaric for Nikola Vlasic.
Vlasic forced a Croatia corner in the next play. Perisic called to the Croatia fans in the crowd to make noise.
Another Croatia chance in the 78th minute. Persic played around the Canada defense on the left wing. His shot was saved by the Canada keeper. The ball ultimately found Kovacic alone in the penalty area, who decided to play Vlasic instead of shooting. It could have easily been Croatia’s 4th goal.
Perisic tried shooting again in the 82nd minute but was wildly off target.
Dalic made three more subs in the 86th minute. Perisic for Orsic, Modric for Pasalic, and Kovacic for Majer.
Six minutes of stopped time were added.
‘Veceras je nasa festa’ could be heard in the stands, and rightfully so, as we awaited yet another goal. A quick counter saw Orsic 1-on-1 with the Canada keeper and Majer to his left. Orsic played Majer in the box to make it 4-1 Croatia!
The official attendance at the match was announced – 44,374.
Croatia meets Belgium in their final Group F match on Thursday, December 1, at 6 pm local time.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
