Despite the defeat, the Canucks could take solace from their performance against Belgium’s golden generation, but that result already places them at the bottom of Group F, and their hopes of reaching the last 16 will be scrambled if results do not go their way this week.
Thirty-six years after their only previous appearance in the World Cup, Canada is still winless and goalless after four games. Herdman is now on a mission to prevent his team from matching El Salvador’s record of six straight defeats.
Only three shots on target in 22 attempts against Belgium demonstrates the problem that Herdman must address. The ability to finish in the final third. Alphonso Davies saw his World Cup moment fade away after his penalty was saved against Belgium.
Despite just five shots in the previous game, that draw sees Croatia good enough to place in second of Group F.
For Canada, history will be made as Atiba Hutchinson is set to win his 100th cap for Canada this weekend, making him the first player from his country to do so, but if his 39-year-old legs need a rest, Ismael Kone and Jonathan Osorio are ready to take his place in midfield.
