CANADA are OUT of the World Cup after losing 4-1 to Croatia.
Alphonso Davies put the Canadians ahead after just 68 second before Croatia started to turn the screw.
Andrej Kramaric netted twice to condemn Canada to their World Cup exit, joining hosts Qatar as the two eliminated teams so far.
- Result: Canada 4-1 Croatia
- Croatia XI: Livakovic, Juranvoic; Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Livaja, Kramaric, Perisic
- Canada XI: Borjan; Johnston, Vitoria, Miller; Laryea, Hutchinson, Estaquio, Davies; Buchanan, David, Larin
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Who else is in action today?
These group stage days are an absolute dream aren’t they?
Football on TV from 9am- 9pm, it is 12 hours of dreamland.
Later on today we have the 7pm kick-off, which sees Spain face off against Germany in what is a World Cup clash of the titans.
That is all from us on SunSport for this game, but join us for coverage of Spain vs Germany up next and check out the lineups for that one here.
Thank you very much for reading as always, and enjoy the rest of what is set to be a brilliant night of football!
Who’s up next?
Up next for Croatia they face what may well be a tougher test as they are up against Belgium on the first of December.
As for Canada, things don’t get any easier as they face a Morocco side that are tipped to be dark horses by many, after beating Belgium and drawing with Croatia.
Both teams gave a pretty good account of themselves this afternoon, despite the scoreline maybe not reflecting that, but will have to be at their very best to get a result in their next game.
Classy Croatia.
Croatia looked like a side that were back to their best tonight.
Kramaric will get most of the plaudits for his two superb finishes, which could have been three if his first one wasn’t ruled out for offside.
But it was that magical midfield of Kovacic, Modric and Brozovic that proved their worth on the world stage tonight.
The three of them were brilliant in taking the pace out of the game, and then injecting it back in at just the right time.
Croatia looked deadly on the counter attack, and brilliant in terms of their build up play, they ultimately just had too much quality for Canada to deal with.
They will be feeling positive ahead of facing Belgium, who are looking like the tournaments great under-performers so far…
Modric and Kovacic dictated the tempo as Croatia beat Canada 4-1.Credit: Getty
Positives for Canada…
Canada are out in the groups at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and were mercilessly beaten by a classy Croatia side by four goals to one.
But, there are a number of positives that they can take from this tournament…
- A first World Cup goal.
Alphonso Davies gave Canada the lead against Croatia after he scored the fastest goal of the tournament so far, inside just two minutes, it was also Canada’s first goal in a World Cup finals, and will be remembered eternally, not just by Davies, but the nation.
- Co-Hosts next time…
In 2026 the World Cup is being held in Canada, The USA and Mexico, which will be a huge boost for a country that is not typically a footballing nation, this could really boost their chances of doing well in that tournament, and they could well be dark horses.
- Young players getting experience.
Canada have a number of brilliant young players, and the future looks bright for them. Buchanan, Davies, David and Laryea amongst others all showed their talent, and could well be players of serious, developed quality by the time 2026 comes around…
Overall they will be disappointed tonight, but there are plenty of positives for them to take from this tournament, and they could still go out and get a win against Morocco next week.
Alphonso Davies will be 26-years-old when Canada co-host the next World Cup.Credit: Reuters FT. Croatia 4-1 Canada.
The referee calls the second-half to a close, and that sees Canada eliminated by a merciless Croatia side.
It is full time, Croatia 4-1 Canada.
90+4. Croatia 4-1 Canada.
It’s four for Croatia, and a horrible mistake by Kamal Miller as the ball slips through his legs.
Orsic was all over it like a rash, and burst down the left-hand side with too much pace for Miller to keep up.
It was two on one with Majer bursting forward, and the pass across left the latter with a simple finish high into the net.
90+2. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
Canada may be out, but that hasn’t stopped Junior Hoilett going for goal of the tournament just now.
The ball fell to him on the half-volley on the edge of the box, and he smashed a dipping shot with his laces towards goal, that ended up just wide of the left post.
90. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
A poor shot from Orsic is comfortably saved by Borjan.
There will be six added minutes at the end of the second half.
88. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
You have to applaud that Canada have not dropped their standards here, they are still playing their game, and that is credit to them.
Worth noting also that they are co-hosts of the next World Cup tournament, alongside Mexico and the USA.
They could be a team to really look out for in four years time.
86. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
There is a yellow card each for Kamal Miller and Luka Modric, and there is a triple change for Croatia too.
Perisic, Modric and Mateo Kovacic are off to be replaced by Pasalic, Orsic and Majer.
83. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
Canada have been great to watch in this tournament, and can consider themselves somewhat unlucky after missing their penalty against Belgium.
They do have a pretty young squad, with a lot of young stars in their ranks, the likes of Davies and David.
The next World Cup could see them get their first win, if they don’t spring a surprise on Morocco next week…
80. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
A bit more end-to-end stuff here before the end of this game, including a great double save from the Serbian born Canadian goalkeeper.
Perisic hit a low shot at him after being played in by Mateo Kovacic, before the rebound fell to Brozovic.
His shot was then saved, and Canada escaped on the break with Davies, who had a shot saved…
76. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
This has been a bit of a footballing lesson for Canada…
That midfield of Kovacic, Brozovic and Modric has really shown its worth against this Canadian side.
When they went 1-0 down after just two minutes they kept their composure and eventually broke down the Canadian side repeatedly breaking the lines and creating chances for Kramaric up front.
74. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
A few changes here for both sides…
A grand ovation for Andrej Kramaric, who is replaced by Nikola Vlasic.
For Canada, Atiba Hutchinson is off for Sam Adekugbe, who will slot in at left back, and Lucas Cavallini replaces Jonathan David.
72. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
That is a great touch and finish from Andrej Kramaric.
Ivan Perisic got down the left hand side, and whipped the ball in towards Kramaric stood in the back post area.
He takes a touch, and switches the ball onto his left foot, before dispatching it into the bottom left corner.
Great finish from the ex-Leicester city man.
70. Croatia 3-1 Canada.
It’s three for Croatia! It could be all over for Canada!
It is Andrej Kramaric at the double!
68. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
Great work from Mateo Kovacic in midfield for Croatia, as he changes the pace and drives forward for his side.
He beats two players, but his final pass is just a little to heavy for Petkovic to latch onto.
66. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
Canada are just seeking ways to get forward against Croatia here, and Buchanan has now swapped to the left wing, instead of the right.
He has really impressed in this tournament so far, and don’t be surprised if there are a queue of clubs waiting to sign him in January.
64. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
Laryea for Canada is being replaced by Junior Hoilett, and Alphonso Davies wins a free-kick right on the edge of the box…
Davies takes the free-kick, but it only reaches as far as Brozovic in the Croatian wall.
62. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
A change for Croatia, as Bruno Petkovic, who scored against Chelsea in the Champions League this season, is replacing the scorer of Croatia’s second goal, Marko Livaja.
60. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
There is an urgency about Canada now with just half an hour to go.
Buchanan gets a lovely nutmeg on Josko Gvardiol, but Perisic is behind his team mate to ensure that there is no further threat from the tricky Canadian.
58. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
What a save by Livakovic!
It is almost an equaliser for Canada, as Jonathon David hits a curling effort from the edge of the box, which is tipped over by the Croatian keeper.
Dejan Lovren is booked for a foul in the build up.
Lille’s Jonathan David almost levelled the scoring for Canada…Credit: Getty 56. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
Kramaric has to score, it should be all over!
Really lovely play from Croatia, who make it look so simple…
A reverse ball from Modric inside the box finds Kramaric, who just has to slot it into the back of the net, but it is saved by the keeper!
Huge save, and a potentially huge miss from Kramaric…
54. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
The next goal in this game is oh so crucial.
If it goes Croatia’s way it could be all over in Qatar for Canada.
If Canada get the next goal, you get the feeling that the momentum could just carry them all the way through to win it.
52. Croatia 2-1 Canada.
It’s a half-chance for Croatia, as a teasing ball from Sosa on the left-hand side goes in towards Perisic before being saved by the goalkeeper.
Buchanan picks up a yellow card for a late challenge on Gvardiol.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
