Croatia come from behind to crush Canada 4-1

Andrej Kramaric bagged a brace as Croatia came from a goal down to beat Canada 4-1 despite the North Americans getting off to a dream start. The 2018 finalists had opened their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaign with a listless goalless draw against Morocco. The defeat means Canada are out of the World Cup.

In front of 44,374 spectators at the Khalifa International Stadium, Alphonso Davies had put Canada in the lead just two minutes in, making history by scoring Canada’s first goal at the World Cup in only their second appearance after a 36-year absence. Canada’s inexperience showed as the game continued as Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic dictated affairs.

Kramaric made it 1-1 just past the hour mark before Marko Livaja put the Europeans ahead. Kramaric sealed victory in the second half, and Lovro Majer added some gloss with a late goal as Croatia ensured their World Cup campaign alive. 

“In the first minutes, they scored, but we managed to fight and stabilise ourselves,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said after the match.

“We got back on our feet. This makes me proud. Croatia once again demonstrated power and quality. We have to make it to the next stage. That is our ultimate goal.”

The match had taken a heated turn as Croatia on Saturday blasted Canada’s coach John Herdman for unflattering comments. However, it seemed Canada would have the last laugh when Bayern Munich star Davies, born in a refugee camp in Ghana before relocating to Canada aged five, put them ahead. 

The 22-year-old, who missed a penalty against Belgium, powered a header past Dominik Livakovic from a Tajon Buchanan assist to give Canada their first-ever World Cup goal just two minutes into the tie.

Canada created most of the chances after going one up, but the much-experienced Croatia gradually settled into the match, and Milan Borjan easily gathered Livaja’s tame effort from a Kovacic pass.

Croatia soon dominated the midfield as Kramaric thought he had pulled his team level, but his goal was rightly ruled out because Livaja was offside in the build-up. 

Livaja had another chance to pull Croatia level after Kovacic found the forward with a brilliant pass, but Borjan saved for a corner. 

Croatia’s pressure paid off, and Kramaric pulled level in the 36th minute. Perisic set up the forward with a beautiful reverse pass and the 31-year-old slotted home.

Davies tried to rally his side with dazzling skills and runs, but Croatia took the lead. Livaja put the 2018 finalists ahead, sending his effort into the bottom right corner of the goalkeeper before half-time. 

Canada tried to get back in the game In the second half, but substitute Jonathan Osario dragged an effort wide from just outside the box. 

Kramaric should have made it three in the 57th minute, but Borjan pushed away the striker’s effort after Modric found him open in the box.

Jonathan David, who had been ineffective all game, finally got involved, but his rising shot from just outside the box was pushed over the bar

For all Canada’s promises, Croatia soon put the game to bed 20 minutes from time as Kramaric bagged his second. The forward was picked out unmarked in the box by Perisic, and he took one touch to set himself up before curling his effort past the hapless Borjan. 

From then on, Canada struggled to create any clear-cut chance as Croatia looked the more likely to score as Borjan made a double save from Perisic and Livaja.

Tired and discouraged, Kamal Miller, who had been sturdy all game, gifted Croatia a fourth in added time. The defender fumbled a simple pass, and Mislav Orsic pounced on the loose ball before setting up substitute Lovro Majer for a simple finish.

“In terms of the team mentality, we showed ‘little’ Canada can compete with the best in the world,” Herdman said.

“I’m proud of what they achieved tonight. They made some history for our country. The goal was a very special moment to feel that, on this stage, against this type of team.”