Canada caught the world’s attention in its first match in a men’s World Cup in 36 years. It scored its first goal on this stage ever two minutes into its second. Yet its time in Qatar is going to be short.
Croatia responded to Alphonso Davies’s goal 68 seconds in with a masterclass of midfield and attacking play, overrunning and beating Canada 4–1 and mathematically eliminating the Concacaf nation from knockout-stage contention with a group game still to play. Canada joins host Qatar as nations whose tournaments are, for all intents and purposes, already over.
With Morocco beating Belgium earlier in the day and previously tying Croatia, the Atlas Lions and 2018 runner-up are tied on four points, both out of Canada’s reach. Belgium, meanwhile, is on three points, still alive heading into its group finale vs. Croatia.
