Croatia rallied from behind to secure a 4-1 victory over Canada, who have officially been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup on Sunday evening.
2022 FIFA World Cup
Result: Croatia 4-1 Canada
Date: 27 November 2022
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium
The Chequered Ones made only one change from their draw against Morocco, as Nikola Vlasic was fit enough only to make a bench after he sustained an injury and he was replaced by Marko Livaja, who joined Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic upfront.
Canada had a dream start as Bayern Munich-man Alphonso Davies powered them ahead within 68 seconds with a downward header from a cross by Tajon Buchanan and had the honour of scoring the first goal for his nation ever at the World Cup.
Zlatko Dalic's charges did not panic and played some good combination football as Kramaric found the back of the net on 26 minutes with a composed finish at the near post but his goal was promptly disallowed for a marginal offside.
Croatia gained momentum, in an open contest and Kramaric eventually restored parity nine minutes before the interval with a low strike across goal after a through ball by Perisic.
The Chequered Ones showed their predatory instincts going forward as Livaja gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time with an unstoppable low shot from the edge of the box that found the bottom corner.
The game opened up in the early stages of the second stanza and Croatia came close to getting a two-goal cushion ten minutes in after Mateo Kovacic forced a reflex save from goalkeeper Milan Borjan with strike in the six-yard box.
Despite the encounter slowing down towards the hour-mark, Dalic was not fully satisfied with a lead by one goal, as he threw in Bruno Petkovic in place of Livaja for fresh legs up top.
Dalic was vindicated with 20 minutes remaining after Kramaric got the insurance goal and completed his brace with a low curling shot in the box after a good first touch from a lofted pass by Perisic.
Croatia were finding big chances in the closing stages on counter-attacks as the Maple Leafs committed numbers forward and Lovro Majer eventually made it 4-1 in stoppage time with a looping shot unmarked in the box after an error at the back saw Croatia break clear on goal.
The Chequered Ones went to the top of Group F with four points, equal on points with second-placed Morocco, which meant winless Canada were eliminated with a game to spare.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
