Fifa World Cup: Classy Croatia Fight Back From A Goal Down To Beat Canada

Andrej Kramaric bagged a brace as Croatia turned up the heat against Canada in Group F
17:58, 27 Nov 2022

Sunday’s World Cup shocks failed to continue at the Khalifa International Stadium, as 2018 finalists Croatia came from behind to beat Canada 4-1.

After a disastrous start, a classy Croatia outfit turned up the heat against a Canada side still looking to avoid defeat in a World Cup match for the first time in their history. 

Les Rouges’ hunt for a first ever World Cup goal bore fruit within the opening two minutes at least, with John Herdman’s men scoring the fastest goal scored at this year’s tournament so far. 

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Canada played some scintillating stuff in their opening day defeat to Belgium, but their attempts on goal were utterly woeful. However, they found their shooting boots early on this time around, with Alphonso Davies getting the North Americans off to a dream start. The Bayern Munich star was found totally unmarked courtesy of a deft cross from Tajon Buchanan and had little work to do to nod into the back of an open net. 

After their laissez-faire approach in the opening minutes had left them with a mountain to climb, Croatia began to take a grip of the game, finding their rhythm. The World no14 side finally had the ball in the back of the net in the 25th minute through Andrej Kramaric, but the flag, somewhat belatedly, was raised for offside. 

The equaliser finally came for Croatia after reaping the rewards of a period of intense pressure inside the Canadian box. A lovely reverse pass from Ivan Perisic found Kramaric, who slotted home past Milan Borjan from a tight angle. 

It was all Croatia and they made it 2-1 heading into the break after a classy finish from Marko Livaja. An excellent run from Josip Juranovic saw him cut past three defenders and, with help from a deflection, managed to find the Hajduk Split forward who picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 

Canada were a whisker away from getting themselves back on level terms three minutes into the second half after Jonathan Osorio’s 20 yard effort drifted just wide of the post. Borjan then kept his side in the game with a fine save to deny Kramaric a second after being played through on goal by Luka Modric. 

Kramaric bagged his brace just before the 70th minute after Perisic found him from the left flank. Karmaric took a touch to get away from his marker before taking a second to flash across the goal face and into the bottom corner. Perisic has now been directly involved in 16 goals at World Cups and EUROs combined, six more than any other Croatia player.

Croatia added the cherry on top three minutes into added-time. A dreadful mistake from within the Canadian defence allowed Mislav Orsic to charge forward and draw Borjan from his line, squaring for Lovro Majer who duly slotted home.

Canada, to their credit, never gave up and with Davies’ lightning pace always looked a threat on the counter, however, their World Cup dream has now come to an end. They will have no doubt picked a few fans along the way.

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