Canada vs Croatia final score, result: Herdman's side eliminated from World Cup despite early Davies goal

Kyle Bonn

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Simon Borg

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Canada vs Croatia final score, result: Herdman's side eliminated from World Cup despite early Davies goal image

Canada got their first-ever World Cup goal, just two minutes into the match, but Les Rouge will have been looking for much more, as they fell well short of expectations to exit the tournament in Qatar.

Despite John Herdman’s pre-match comments that Canada would "eff Croatia" and push for knockout-stage qualification, the 2018 World Cup finalists were just too good, as a brace from Andrej Kramaric led the way in a 4-1 Croatia win.

The result officially eliminated Herdman's side — Canada sitting on zero points through two matches. The missed chances against Belgium now feel like even more of a massive missed opportunity, as the Canadians were well beaten.

Croatia, meanwhile, move to the top of Group F on goal difference over Morocco, who stunned Belgium earlier in the day.

Luka Modric and company are not yet officially through to the knockout stage, but a draw would be enough to do it in the final match against Belgium.

The Sporting News was tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Croatia vs. Canada at the 2022 World Cup. Follow below for complete results from the Group F match in Qatar.

MORE: Best bets for Canada vs. Croatia

Croatia vs Canada final score

  1H 2H Final
Canada 1 0 1
Croatia 2 2 4

Goals:
CAN — Alphonso Davies (2 mins)
CRO — Andrej Kramaric (36 mins)
CRO — Marko Livaja (44 mins)
CRO — Andrej Kramaric (73 mins)
CRO — Lovro Majer (90 + 4 mins)

Confirmed starting lineups:

Croatia (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric (Pasalic 86'), 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic (Majer, 86') — 14. Livaja (Petkovic, 60'), 9. Kramaric (Vlasic 72'), 4. Perisic (Orsic, 86').

Canada (3-5-2, right to left): 18. Borjan (GK) — 2. Johnston, 5. Vitoria, 4. Miller — 22. Laryea (Hoilett, 62'), 7. Eustaquio (Kone, 46'), 11. Buchanan, 13. Hutchinson (Adekugbe, 73'), 19. Davies — 20. David (Cavallini, 73'), 17. Larin (Osorio, 46').

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

LIVE Group F standings

Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
1. Croatia 4 2 1 0 1 4 1 +3
2. Morocco 4 2 1 0 1 2 0 +2
3. Belgium 3 2 1 0 1 1 2 -1
4. Canada 0 2 0 2 0 1 4 -3

Canada v Croatia as it happened, highlights from 2022 World Cup

FULLTIME: Canada 1 Croatia 4

Canada are the second team out of the 2022 World Cup, as John Herdman's pre-match comments come back to bite him. Les Rouges were not nearly as bad as the final scoreline suggests, but the defensive mistakes were well punished by Croatia.

Croatia go top of the group on goal difference, and are in great position to advance. It'll be two of the top three teams to advance, with Canada out of contention. Still, they'll have the early Davies goal to remember, a landmark moment for the CONCACAF nation at only its second World Cup.

90+4 min: GOAL! CROATIA! Oh no, Kamal Miller, who's had a rough match, ends it with a nightmare lowlight. With the Canadian backline playing high in the hopes of snatching a goal late, the ball just skips right through his legs and springs a two-man breakaway from the halfway line. It's substitute Lovro Majer who gets the goal, with unselfish play from fellow sub Orsic. Harsh on Canada, who were up for this match, but such is life at the end when throwing numbers forward.

90+2 min: Six minutes of added time. Canada are pushing hard for at least another goal, even if it's not enough. Alphonso Davies sends in a sensational cross that falls agonizingly between two Canadian attackers, and then Junior Hoilett's vicious follow-up is wide left, not missing by much.

85th min: Kamal Miller and Luka Modric get into a shoving match, and both receive yellow cards. It seemed Miller was the aggressor, and the caution to Modric feels harsh. A few moments later, Lucas Cavallini is nearly in on a wonderful throughball from Davies, but a great tackle from Juranovic cuts it out at the last moment.

Croatia are readying a bevy of substitutions on the sidelines to see this game out. Modric and Perisic are off, with Mario Pasalic and Mislav Orsic brought on.

79th min: Chance, Croatia! ANOTHER AMAZING SAVE FROM BORJAN! This time on the double! Canada are all over the place in the penalty area, and first Perisic fires from a tight angle, but Borjan produces an incredible kick-save. Then it falls to Brozovic from the penalty spot completely unmarked, and Borjan is there again as the effort is poor, despite the goal gaping.

Watch in Canada:

74th min: Chance, Canada! A looped ball into the box for Davies sees the Bayern Munich man get his head to it and springs Buchanan right on the doorstep, but the goalkeeper is there to collect, and the flag goes up anyway. Buchanan was miles offside.

73rd min: Canada make their final two changes in a hope of throwing caution to the wind and getting back into this game. Jonathan David comes off, interestingly, as does captain Hutchinson. Cavallini and Adekugbe are on.

Croatia take Kramaric off on a hat-trick, replaced by Nikola Vlasic, who was injured in the last match but apparently fit to come off the bench for the final 17 minutes.

70th min: GOAL! CROATIA! That's just too easy for Croatia, and it's game over, Kramaric sinks Canada! He's got all day to shoot in the penalty area as Kamal Miller just completely freezes and fails to step to his man. Kramaric takes a cut inside and fires a perfect strike with his left. Canada, who are eliminated with a loss, feel like their way back is too far gone.

Watch in the USA:

Watch in Canada:

Watch in the UK:

68th min: Too many bad giveaways for Canada right now. Croatia look comfortable defensively, and they're capitalizing on the turnovers to spring counter-attacks.

Jonathan David has Alphonso Davies making an incisive run down the right, but David's throughball is cut out agonizingly. Then Hutchinson gives it away right up the middle in their own half, and Borjan has to come off his line to keep Petkovic from having a free hit on net.

66th min: For a few minutes, Canada captain Atiba Hutchinson was literally sporting a tampon up his nose to stem a bloody nose. It doesn't last long, but the internet had a field day. Lots of nods to Amanda Bynes.

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63rd min: Jonathan David has a free-kick just outside the top-right corner of the penalty area, but he drives his low effort straight into the wall. Canada maintain possession and go again, but Johnston's delivery is far too deep and over the crowd of players.

59th min: Just like it was midway through the first half, this game is end-to-end, an extremely lively affair with both teams looking for a game-changing goal.

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic makes his first substitution, bringing on Bruno Petkovic, who replaces the goalscorer Marko Livaja. Herdman counters with Junior Hoilett, replacing Richie Laryea.

55th min: Chance, Canada! NOW LIVAKOVIC MAKES A GREAT SAVE! Jonathan David takes aim from distance, and the Croatian keeper is required to leap acrobatically and tip it over the bar! Two amazing saves in quick succession!

Just after, Dejan Lovren picks up the first yellow card for Croatia in this match after tripping Jonathan David late.

Watch in Canada:

54th min: Chance, Croatia! WHAT A SAVE MILAN BORJAN! IT'S STUNNING! Croatia back on the possessional advantage, and they break forward extremely well. Kramaric receives the ball unmarked right on the penalty spot. It's a sure goal, but somehow Borjan gets down to it and makes a sensational save. You have to think that if Croatia score again, Canada are sunk.

Watch in the USA:

Watch in Canada:

Watch in the UK:

49th min: Chance, Canada! Canada have started the second half the way they started the first half, and Jonathan Osorio, just onto the field, comes SO close to the equalizer! He bends a curler just wide of of the left post.

A few moments later, Tajon Buchanan gets the game's first yellow card for wrestling down Gvardiol from behind.

Watch in the USA:

Watch in Canada:

46th min: Two needed changes for Canada as the second half gets under way. Jonathan Osorio and Ismael Kone come on, while Stephen Eustaquio and Cyle Larin come off.

Eustaquio, one of Canada's most important players, is a huge loss for Canada. He must be injured after receiving treatment in the first half, as he's not one you take off when healthy. Unclear what the injury may be, but it looked to be something muscular by the way he was on the ground shaking his legs.

HALFTIME: Canada 1 Croatia 2

Alphonso Davies made history in just the second minute as he scored Canada's first-ever World Cup goal. It appeared as though the CONCACAF nation would back up John Herdman's aggressive pre-match comments, as they looked primed for an upset.

Then, Croatia turned the match on its head around the half-hour mark, piling on the pressure and sending the Canadian backline into complete disarray. Goals from Karamaric and Livaja have the Europeans in front and, as it stands, Canada would be ELIMINATED from knockout stage contention.

45+5 min: Canada require a last-ditch tackle from Atiba Hutchinson to stop yet another Croatia break, and the captain is furious as he slams the turn and has words for his defensive unit. It's all fallen apart for the Canadians after their great early start.

45+2 min: Canada will be lucky just to get to halftime down a goal as Croatia continue to pile on the pressure. Kramaric, looking for a second of his own, rifles one from outside the top of the penalty area, but fires high. It's an onslaugh.

44th min: GOAL! CROATIA! It's a quickfire double for the Europeans, and they have turned the game on its head! A total breakdown for Canada defensively, and the one man to come into today's starting lineup, Marko Livaja, has the goal. A disaster for Canada before the half, as they've been pummeled for the last 15-20 minutes of this match.

Watch in the USA:

Watch in Canada:

Watch in the UK:

Watch in Australia:

40th min: Stephen Eustaquio is down and requiring treatment, which is a massive worry for Canada, as he is one of their most important players in midfield. He is able to walk off under his own power and, for now, looks like he'll return to the action.

At the least, the stoppage is a needed breather for Canada who are dealing with immense Croatian pressure, even after the goal. The European side has its ears pinned back.

36th min: GOAL! CROATIA! It's been coming, and there's the equalizer! Kramaric, who has been knocking on the door for quite a while, is the man with the breakthrough. It comes on a great diagonal ball from Ivan Perisic on the right edge of the penalty area, and the Croatian striker had a decent window for the leveller.

Watch in the USA:

Watch in Canada:

Watch in the UK:

35th min: Chance, Croatia! As we thought, there's a great look on goal at the end of that Croatian possession, and it requires a BIG SAVE from Milan Borjan! Modric's vertical ball feeds a striker, but Borjan is there to keep it out from a tight angle.

34th min: The pressure from Croatia is unrelenting, and only last-ditch defending keeps them from getting a good shot on goal from a long throw. Luka Modric has the best look, but it's blocked. Canadian defenders scrambling just to put a lid on things.

A wonderful cross from Modric is just inches over the head of Kramaric. There's a goal in this possession if it keeps up...

30th min: Croatia have looked the better side over the past 5-10 minutes, and Canada will need to be careful. Canada are still getting forward in this end-to-end game, but they have not been able to put together the end product since their bright opening.

Tajon Buchanan is needed to track back and make a tackle after a Croatian attacker got behind Johnston. Lots of Croatian pressure.

26th min: DISALLOWED GOAL FOR CROATIA! It's a GORGEOUS goal from Croatia, as Andrej Kramaric beats the Canada defense one-on-three, but the flag is up for offside. It's actually not Kramaric who's offside, it's Livaja, the man who fed him on the break who was just leaning past the defensive line. A massive warning for the Canada.

Watch in the USA:

Watch in Canada:

21st min: This game is WIDE OPEN, end-to-end stuff. First, Croatia have a pinging ball around the box cleared again before they can work a shot on goal. Then, Canada break down the other end and Alphonso Davies has room to drive into the box. He's closed off and delivers a cross to the penalty spot, but it's behind his two supporting attackers.

18th min: Croatia see a good attacking move trouble Borjan in the Canada goal again, as he nervously punches one into traffic, momentarily leaving the goal gaping, but nobody can get a shot off before he recovers. Borjan has had a couple of nervy moments so far.

15th min: The game has been very back and forth so far, but no real looks on goal. Canada have a half-chance, as Laryea sends in a great ball from deep for Davies making another incisive run, but he's shaded away from a dangerous position and the chance evaporates.

9th min: Chance, Canada! Cyle Larin is clean through on goal and nearly has a second, but he's blocked away with good goalkeeping from Dominik Livakovic. The flag goes up, so it wouldn't have counted, and the replay shows he was well off. In the end, it's a great offside trap from the Croatians.

7th min: A YIKES moment for Milan Borjan in goal for Canada as he spills a deflected cross right on the goal line, but there's no Croatian player to pounce and it's ultimately not punished.

6th min: Khalifa International Stadium is ELECTRIC with this early start from Canada. It's LOUD.

2nd min: GOAL! CANADA! Canada have their first-ever World Cup goal, and it had to be Alphonso Davies! A perfect delivery from Tajon Buchanan comes into space in the penalty are, and Davies charges in front of the Croatian defender and delivers a TOWERING header! No saving that!

WHAT a start for Canada, as Croatia falls asleep at the back!

Watch in the USA:

Watch in Canada:

Watch in the UK:

Watch in Australia:

1st min: National anthems are complete, and this match is underway! Lots of storylines around this game, which will now shape the other half of Group F following Morocco's win over Belgium.

Croatia vs. Canada: Pre-match analysis, commentary

15 mins to kickoff: Canada have never scored a World Cup goal, now empty in four attempts. John Herdman has brought on all-time leading goalscorer Cyle Larin in the hopes of changing that. A 27-year-old Larin has 25 goals to his name, and while his mark surely won’t last long given Jonathan David is already on 22 goals at just 22 years old, Larin remains a key figure both on and off the field for the national team.

35 mins to kickoff: Canada will be wearing their famous black kits in today's match after receiving an exemption to divert from their regular red or white options. Les Rouges took a ton of flak this summer when it was announced that they would not be getting new kits for the World Cup like most other countries, since their deal with Nike featured a two-year kit cycle. To calm the noise, they have revived their black kits, with Nike's approval.

52 mins to kickoff: Morocco has scored a second goal late in the match, and they defeat Belgium 2-0 to go top of Group F. It's a shocking result, as Belgium just have not looked sharp all tournament. The result means that defeat to Croatia would officially be the end of Canada's chances at reaching the knockout stage, while a draw would also leave them lagging behind and in a difficult position.

1 hr 12 mins from kickoff: The lineups are out, and Herdman has indeed given a 100th cap to Atiba Hutchinson. Sam Adekugbe is on the bench for a second straight lineup, which is not something we would have guessed before the World Cup. Cyle Larin comes into the lineup up front after coming on as a substitute against Belgium.

For Croatia, it's just the single change necessitated by the injury to Nikola Vlasic, who is replaced by Marko Livaja. All the team news is below in the lineups section.

1 hr 24 mins from kickoff: The other Group F game is going on right now between Morocco and Belgium, with the African side recently going in front. It would it be huge for both Canada and Croatia if that match finished level, but that will require a Belgian response. It was scoreless at the break as Hakim Ziyech had a goal chalked off in the first half for offside, with Romain Saiss deemed to have interfered with the goalkeeper on the set-piece delivery.

HIGHLIGHT: Watch in the US | Watch in Canada

However, in the 73rd minute Abdelhamid Sabiri delivered a brilliant free-kick to put Morocco up! Now Belgium must respond.

HIGHLIGHT: Watch in the US | Watch in Canada

1 hr 44 mins from kickoff: Captain Atiba Hutchinson is on 99 caps, and an appearance in either of the final two group-stage games would make him the first Canada international to reach the century mark. He's the only member of this Canada squad who was alive the last time Canada made the World Cup.

2hrs 15 mins from kickoff: We are still some way away from the lineups being announced in this one, but we know already that there is likely to be a change for Croatia. Nikola Vlasic was withdrawn at halftime against Morocco with a calf problem, and doesn't make our projected 11 for this one as a result. You can check out all the team news below! 

2hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Croatia's fans have certainly been getting ready for today's action by the looks of things. These were the scenes from the Vatreni fans earlier today!

3 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: Herdman called the comments he made "a learning moment" when asked before the match about the back-and-forth it triggered:

3 hrs 45mins from kickoff: TSN's Matthew Scianitti with the latest update from Qatar on the 'eff Croatia' controversy, and lineup questions.

4 hrs from kickoff: Canada supporters gearing up for this decisive match can get their juices flowing by watching this video:

Croatia vs Canada lineups, team news

Nikola Vlasic picked up a calf injury during the Morocco match and sits as expected with Marko Livaja the surprise selection to replace him. The 29-year-old forward plays domestically for Hadjuk Split in Croatia.

Other changes were reportedly being entertained are at the back, but ultimately no other alterations were made as Dejan Lovren and Andrej Kramaric retaining their positions in the starting lineup.

Croatia confirmed lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic — 14. Livaja, 9. Kramaric, 4. Perisic.

Canada manager John Herdman has said all 26 players are available for selection, but the lineup speculation has revolved around whether some of the players could use a break with three matches played in the span of eight days.

Herdman makes one change from the close call against Belgium, as Cyle Larin comes in to replace Junior Hoilett. Stars Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David retain their places, while captain Atiba Hutchinson becomes the first Canadian international ever to reach 100 caps.

Davies and Alistair Johnston, two of Canada's most important players, are one yellow card away from being suspended for the final game, but Herdman said he's not thinking about cards when naming the lineup.

Canada confirmed lineup (3-5-2, right to left): 18. Borjan (GK) — 2. Johnston, 5. Vitoria, 4. Miller — 22. Laryea, 7. Eustaquio, 11. Buchanan, 13. Hutchinson, 19. Davies — 20. David, 17. Larin.

Croatia vs Canada live stream, TV channel

This was already set to be a barnburner based on the fact that both teams are desperate for three points. Add the fact that Canada coach John Herdman stated on national TV that he told his team they’ve got to go out and “eff Croatia,” and that has the potential to inject another level of animosity to the encounter.

The upstart Canadians lost a heartbreaker against Belgium, prompting the emotional outburst by Herdman. Although Belgium survived the Canadian scare, World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia could be an upset candidate given how poor they looked in their scoreless draw against Morocco.

Here's how you can watch all the action in the major global territories.

  Date Time TV Channel Streaming
USA Sunday, Nov. 27 11:00 ET FS1, Telemundo fuboTV,
Fox Sports site/app,
Telemundo Deportes site/app,
Peacock
Canada Sunday, Nov. 27 11:00 EST CTV, TSN,
RDS (French)		 CTV site/app,
TSN site/app,
RDS app
UK Sunday, Nov. 27 16:00 GMT BBC One BBC iPlayer
Australia Monday, Nov. 28 03:00 AEDT SBS SBS On Demand
India Sunday, Nov. 27 21:30 IST Sports18 Voot, JioTV
Hong Kong Monday, Nov. 28 00:00 HKT Now TV (Ch. 616, 618) Now TV
Malaysia Monday, Nov. 28 00:00 MYT Astro, TV2,
Unifi TV		 Astro GO
Singapore Monday, Nov. 28 00:00 SGT StarHub (Ch. 251/252),
Singtel TV		 Singtel TV GO, CAST,
StarHub TV+, MeWatch
New Zealand Monday, Nov. 28 05:00 NZDT Prime TV,
Sky Sport 7 beIN		 Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW

Watch the match on fuboTV in USA:

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.