World Cup 2022: Croatia 4-1 Canada – Andrej Kramaric scores twice to send Canada out

Croatia crushed any hopes Canada had of progressing in Qatar, with the 2018 finalists preventing again after Alphonso Davies bought his nation off to a flying begin by scoring their first ever World Cup aim.

Croatia didn’t panic after falling behind, although, and created quite a few possibilities, with striker Andrej Kramaric seeing a aim dominated out for offside.

The previous Leicester participant did equalise when he discovered the online with a first-time angled shot from Ivan Perisic’s go, and Marko Livaja put Croatia forward with a rasping drive from the sting of the field.

Kramaric was denied by Milan Borjan’s high-quality save within the second half, and on the different finish, Dominik Livakovic acrobatically tipped over Jonathan David’s long-range roller.

Hoffenheim frontman Kramaric bought his second of the sport by coolly changing into the far nook, and substitute Lovro Majer wrapped up the match by netting in damage time.

Canada could have scored a aim, however they’re nonetheless ready for his or her first level in a World Cup group match and now can’t qualify for the final 16.

Croatia maintain their cool

You may need anticipated the primary assembly between Croatia and Canada to be an easy affair – in reality it was something however, with a disagreement happening beforehand.

Canada’s English boss John Herdman mentioned earlier than the sport they might “eff Croatia”, with opposition supervisor Zlatko Dalic responding by saying that was not a “signal of respect”.

As soon as on the pitch, Canada appeared to stay to their phrase by scoring inside simply two minutes courtesy of star winger Davies’ great header.

It was a beautiful second for the 22-year-old to web his nation’s first World Cup aim, having been born in a refugee camp after his mother and father fled civil battle in Liberia and moved to Canada when he was 5.

However the pleasure and enthusiasm of youth turned to despair in opposition to a wily Croatia who’ve huge expertise and saved their cool to hit again.

They put a ragged Canada backline underneath stress, and Kramaric’s leveller and Livaja’s pretty strike on the stroke of half-time turned the sport round.

Jonathan Osorio struck inches extensive shortly after approaching as a second-half substitute as Canada – who’re enjoying of their first World Cup since 1986 – appeared to discover a means again into the sport.

However Kramaric struck once more from a second Perisic help, gloriously taking down the cross and stroking in, earlier than Majer punished Kamal Miller’s horrible mistake as Croatia ended up comfy winners.

They’ve now misplaced simply as soon as of their final 18 outings, and should face world quantity two facet Belgium on Thursday to safe a spot within the subsequent spherical.

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