Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first World Cup goal, but it was not enough to keep them from being eliminated after a loss to Croatia.
Canada got off to a strong start, with Alphonso Davies rising highest to head past Dominik Livakovic after Tajon Buchanan’s cross.
However, with Croatia’s midfield in sync, Canada would have needed a lot of organisation to keep their lead. Croatia felt they had levelled through Andrej Kramaric, but Livaja’s failure to stay onside in the build-up meant Canada maintained their lead.
That was the case until the 36th minute when Ivan Perisic’s pass found Kramaric, who finished calmly past Milan Borjan. A minute from half-time, Marko Livaja’s fierce driven shot into the bottom corner made it 2-1.
The second half saw positive signs of Canada levelling off. Only two minutes after coming in, Jonathan Osorio’s curling effort went wide off the post, while Jonathan David slammed his shot high enough for Livakovic to push over with his fingertips.
Unfortunately, Kramaric doubled his and Croatia’s tally after Perisic’s tempting cross to the far post found Kramaric who fired it into the bottom corner.
Junior Hoilett had two efforts on goal, one of which was blocked and the other dragged wide. Unfortunately, Kamal Miller let the ball slip through his legs, allowing Mislav Orsic to burst through and put it on the line for Lovro Majer to score.
Despite the defeat, The Maple Leafs can hold up their head high with their youth and exuberance. After a dismal 1986 World Cup, national pride is restored in the country. They can be excited for the next World Cup.
