QATAR 2022 WORLD CUP: Andrej Kramaric’s brace sends Canada out of the tournament after a 4-1 defeat to Croatia
By Samson Adeyemo
Canada recorded their first-ever World Cup goal as Alphonso Davies opened the scoring after just two minutes as he rose in the box to power home a strong header from Tajon Buchanan’s cross, notching the fastest goal of the Qatar 2022 World Cup so far.
The Canadians maintained the struggle for its first World Cup victory until Kramaric equalized in the 37 minutes, as he latched onto a smart reverse pass from Ivan Perisic before finding the far corner from a tight angle. Then Livaja added for Croatia just before the break, as he picked up a pass from Josip Juranovic before driving a low pinpoint finish inside the near post from the edge of the box to keep the Canadian at bay.
Kramaric scored again in 70 minutes of the game seal the victory and reduce the hopes of the opponent as he controlled a cross from Perisic with a fine touch, before placing the ball into the net decisively.
The final goal for Croatia was recorder in the stoppage time as Kamal Miller was punished for his mistake which allowed Mislav Orsic a free run on goal before he passed to Majer to score an empty net.
The result puts Croatia top of Group F on goal difference ahead of Morocco, who beat Belgium 2-0 earlier in the day. Both of those sides are on four points, with Belgium on three.
Canada are bottom of the group without a point and cannot progress.
