Canada have joined hosts Qatar as the second team to be eliminated from the World Cup as Croatia recorded an impressive 4-1 comeback victory at the Khalifa International Stadium.
It took Canada less than 80 seconds to open the scoring as Alphonso Davies charged into the box to power home a header from Tajon Buchanan’s pinpoint cross to stun the 2018 finalists.
Nine minutes before the break, Croatia levelled as a delightful reverse pass from Tottenham's Ivan Perisic found Andrej Kramaric whose first time left-footed effort crept past Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
A minute before the interval, Marko Livaja fired Croatia into the lead with an effort from the edge of the penalty area which flew past Borjan to turn the game on its head. Kramaric grabbed his second and Croatia’s third twenty minutes from time with another clinical finish before Lovro Majer added a fourth late on.
Mirror Football takes a look at the main talking points from the clash.
Davies delivers Canada moment
Regardless of what happens in Canada’s other matches at this World Cup, no fan of the nation will ever forget this moment. Appearing at just their second ever World Cup, this was their first ever goal at the finals.
It took less than 80 seconds for them to take the lead in this game. A great cross from Tajon Buchanan and was met by a charging Alphonso Davies who leapt high above his marker and powered a header into the net.
The World Cup is all about moments and the jubilant scenes of celebration on the pitch and in the stands show how much this meant to the North American nation, despite the result.
Croatia stars last dance?
Croatia were one of the stories of the last World Cup as Zlatko Dalic guided his side to the final of the tournament against France. Veterans of that campaign such as Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic are not involved are not involved this time round, but this is a vastly experienced team.
Luka Modric, now 37, continues to pull the strings in the midfield while 28-year-old Mateo Kovacic was the youngest of the six players across midfield and attack that started this game with Dejan Lovren, 33, marshalling the defence.
Have Your Say! Are Croatia contenders to win this year's World Cup? Tell us what you think here.
This team may lack the energy it possessed in 2018 but has no shortage of technical ability and experience, and they are a side who many more illustrious nations will fear should they progress to the knockout stages.
Dalic to repeat 2018 trick?
Croatia are not discussed among the favourites to win this competition but they are in a strong position to advance from one of the more difficult groups and have reached the semi-finals or better twice in the last two decades.
They have a settled 4-3-3 formation which exploits the strengths of their star players and they have one of the most dedicated and committed squads – evidenced by veteran players continuing to devote as much time to their national side as at club level. The convincing nature of this comeback win adds strength to an argument that they could advance deep into the tournament once more.
Canada at home on this stage
Most of Canada’s players had not even been born the only previous time their nation had been in the World Cup finals – 36 years ago in 1986. Ten of their squad are based at Canadian clubs, and the majority were likely to be unknown to fans unfamiliar with North American football.
Yet their performances against Belgium and Croatia – two of the most accomplished sides in the competition – have won plenty of admirers due to their quick, direct style of attacks and technical ability throughout this squad.
This will provide special memories for Canada’s players, many of whom look set to have long and successful careers ahead of them at the top level.
Belgium on the brink
This result was bad news for Belgium, who reached the last four of the competition in 2018 and were one of the more fancied teams this time round. They recorded a deeply unconvincing victory over Canada in their first game but were deservedly beaten by Morocco earlier on Sunday.
That means Roberto Martinez’s side enter the final matchday one point behind both Morocco and Croatia, who they face on the final day. That means they must beat Croatia to ensure progression to the knockouts, while a draw means they would rely on Canada beating Morocco by three goals or more and a defeat would see them eliminated.
