Despite controlling most of their first World Cup match in 36 years against Belgium on Nov. 23, Team Canada suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss after conceding the winning goal right before halftime.
After Morocco stunned Belgium 2-0 a few days later, Canada needed to beat Croatia — or at least draw — to have a chance of moving on the Round of 16.
Canada did get off to a fantastic start against Croatia. Superstar Alphonso Davies gave Canada its first goal at a World Cup tournament when he headed home a stellar cross by Tajon Buchanan for a 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.
Canada’s dominance continued for 20 minutes. They controlled possession, created many chances and were great defensively, pressing Croatia and limiting their scoring chances. Unfortunately, Canada couldn’t maintain their excellent play for the entire game.
There is a reason why Croatia is the 12th best team in the world and why this team was a finalist at the 2018 World Cup.
Coming into the match, Canada knew the talent and speed of Croatia’s midfield and how devastating it could be, but still couldn’t stop it.
From the 25th minute on, Croatia took control. Croatia’s midfield trio of Luka Modric, Matteo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic dominated ball possession, pressed Canada constantly and forced errors with their excellent passes. Crotia were strong in transition, setting up their lethal front three with several quality scoring chances. They also sharply limited Canada’s scoring chances and room for creativity in the final third of the second half.
All four of Croatia’s goals came on the counterattack. Coming into the match, Canada knew the talent and speed of Croatia’s midfield and how devastating it could be, but still couldn’t stop it. After forcing an errant pass or taking the ball away, Croatia used their speed to advance, often catching Canada’s backline too high, leading to open space for forwards to create numerous shots on goal.
Canada’s defence started to break down in the 26th minute when Croatia appeared to tie the game on an effective counterattack, but the goal was ruled offside. However, it didn’t take much longer for Croatia to equalize the game for real.
Croatia was faster, more composed, more experienced and more talented. They showed they could seamlessly move from defence to attack and routinely generating scoring chances — and goals.
John Herdman is a great coach, but he made a serious mistake ahead of the match against Croatia. After the loss to Belgium, he told Canadian media that he had tried to buoy the spirits of his squad by saying they would “F— Croatia” in their next match. That produced bulletin board material for Croatian manager Zlakto Dalic as he prepped his team for the match with Canada.
John Herdman is a great coach, but he made a serious mistake ahead of the match against Croatia. After the loss to Belgium, he told Canadian media that he had tried to buoy the spirits of his squad by saying they would “F— Croatia” in their next match. That produced bulletin board material for Croatian manager Zlakto Dalic as he prepped his team for the match with Canada. It’s one thing to say what Herdman said privately to his team in the locker room; it’s another thing to share that message with the public — and to give added motivation to your next opponent.
In the 36th minute of Sunday’s match, great ball movement by Croatia’s midfield drew Canada’s defenders slightly upfield to press, but Kovacic slotted a ball beautifully to Ivan Perisic on the left wing. The move drew in Canada’s Alistair Johnston and left Andrei Kramaric wide open to kick in the equalizer to the bottom right corner of the net.
Eight minutes later, a determined run up the pitch by Josip Juranavic forced multiple Canada defenders to vacate their positions and move toward him. Kamal Miller missed his tackle and Juranavic sent a crisp pass between the two remaining defenders. Marco Livaja calmly controlled the ball before beating Canadian keeper Milan Borjan to give Croatia a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Canada had no choice but to edge forward and attack in the second half, knowing they needed at least a draw to keep their hopes alive. Canada created some brilliant chances early in the second half, but the team could not capitalize on opportunities. However, moving up the field also created even more chances for Croatia on the counterattack, and Borjan was forced to make a handful of tremendous saves early in the second half to keep the game 2-1.
In the 70th minute, however, Modric used his speed and ball control to create space and chipped a brilliant pass to Perisic on the left flank. He cut inside and crossed it to Kramaric, who found himself unmarked on the back post with plenty of time and space to still the ball before scoring with a well-placed strike to give Croatia a 3-1 lead, and in essence, the win.
In extra time, Kamal Miller misjudged his positioning after trying to intercept a pass from Modric. Instead, the ball found its way to Mislav Orsic, who passed to substitute Lovro Majer. He scored Croatia’s fourth goal, sealing a decisive win.
Canada did have moments of brilliance and had chances to score a second goal. However, in the end, they were outclassed by a stellar Croatian side.
Despite losing their first two World Cup games in over three decades and not qualifying for the Round of 16, Canada scored a historic first World Cup goal and proved they belong in the upper ranks of global soccer.
Canada won the possession battle by a slight 52-48 per-cent margin, but Croatia outshot Canada 13-8 and had 10 shots on target to Canada’s two. Croatia also had a better midfield. Their speed and skill at that position, and Croatia’s effectiveness in their transition attack propelled them to victory.
With any luck, Canada would have earned at least a point against Belgium. Despite losing their first two World Cup games in over three decades and not qualifying for the Round of 16, Canada scored a historic first World Cup goal and proved they belong in the upper ranks of global soccer.
Team Canada has one more chance to record for their first win at a World Cup when they play Morocco on Thursday at 10 a.m ET.
All in all, it has been a tremendous accomplishment for the country to return to the World Cup. The national team will now set their sights on building an even stronger contender before Canada co-hosts the 2026 World Cup along with the U.S. and Mexico.
