Canada’s World Cup hopes dashed early by Croatia
HISTORIC GOAL BY DAVIES DOESN’T HOLD UP AGAINST ’18 FINALISTS IN 4-1 LOSS
It took 36 years for Canada to get back to the FIFA World Cup, and unfortunately for them, only two games to be eliminated from it.
Canada became the second team to be knocked out of contention for the next round at the 2022 tournament — following the footsteps of host Qatar — with a 4-1 loss to Croatia in front of 44,374 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday.
It was a disappointing result for Canada, which played extremely well in its opener against Belgium on Wednesday, but still lost 1-0.
Not being able to pick up at least a point in the contest proved to be the downfall for John Herdman’s men, who came to Qatar with high expectations after qualifying in style at the top of CONCACAF. Canada scored the first goal against Croatia and was then overrun by the finalist from four years ago.
“I think we had a great start and a proud moment for us, all those fans in the stadium and people back home,” Herdman said. “We got to celebrate something that we’ve been waiting a long time for. I think their second goal turned the tide that close to half time; we had to make tactical adjustments coming into the second half, that leaves you open.
“Then when you leave yourself open to a team like Croatia, they can make you pay on the transition and I thought they gave a master class on those transitional moments. But I’m proud of the lads. I thought they had their moments in the second half, at times, they had that control, we just couldn’t find that equalizer.”
Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric scored two goals in the win and then had some strong words for Herdman, who had revealed during the post-game, on-field huddle against Belgium, told his team they were going to “f--croatia.”
The statement, understandably, didn’t go over well in Croatia and their national media jumped all over it, making Herdman the villain.
“I want to thank the head coach of Canada for the motivation,” said Kramaric, who was named player of the match. “I do believe he could have chosen better words to express himself. He could have formulated it a bit differently and Croatia demonstrated who f ’ed whom, that’s what we did.”
Despite having its good moments, Canada could not find a second-half equalizer against Croatia after giving up the lead. They then gave up a third goal with 20 minutes to go, which essentially ended the contest. A mistake by Canada defender Kamal Miller led to the fourth Croatia goal deep into secondhalf injury time.
“Allow me to congratulate my team on an extraordinary match,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “This was a fantastic match; I did not see the other head coach after the match. When I lose or win, I always congratulate the winner and he was not there, I guess that’s his way of doing things.
“He’s obviously mad. He is a good coach, he is a high quality professional, but it will take some time for him to learn some things.”
The loss leaves Canada without a point from its first two games, while Croatia and Morocco each have four. Canada will conclude its tournament against Morocco on Thursday, with only three points up for grabs.
Alphonso Davies scored 67 seconds into the game to give Canada a 1-0 lead and hope of a massive upset to the thousands of fans who make the trip to Qatar.
Canada had 21 attempts on goal against Belgium and could not score, and then made men’s national soccer history by netting a goal on its first attempt against Croatia.
Davies got to the end of a cross from Tajon Buchanan at the far post ahead of Croatia defender Josip Juranovic and powered home a header past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
The goal was historic for Canada, ending a 362-minute goal drought at the World Cup. Canada did not score in its only previous appearance at the tournament, losing all three games in 1986 in Mexico.
Croatia, which was held to a scoreless tie by Morocco in its first game, was rattled by the early goal and Canada had a number of opportunities to extend the lead, but was unable to take advantage.
Eventually, Croatia worked its way back into the game and began to find a rhythm.
Croatia thought they had tied the game in the 27th minute when Kramaric was put through and hit a shot past Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan, but the goal was called back offside.
Kramaric did get his goal nine minutes later when sent in by Ivan Perisic just inside the penalty area and slipped a shot past Borjan.
After giving up the tying goal, Canada seemed to struggle and found themselves hemmed in their own end defending wave after wave of Croatian attacks.
Canada made two substitutions to start the second half, inserting Jonathan Osorio and Ismael Kone into midfield for Cyle Larin and Stephen Eustaquio, who appeared to sustain an injury, or aggravated one, in the first half.