Canada had drawn first blood in their contest with Canada when star man Alphonso Davies found the back of the net in the second minute of the game. However, despite scoring the first goal for Canada in the men’s FIFA World Cup, Davies and co were knocked out of the competition by Croatia who came roaring back and won 4-1.
Davies, who had missed a penalty in the previous match with Belgium (0-1), which could have very well be won by the Canadians, made up for it with a quick strike here. A superb cross from Tajon Buchanan found Davies in the box, who made a dashing run into the box to climb high above his marker and head the ball into the back of the net.
They dominated proceedings early in the first half with Davies’ pace being too hot to handle for the Croatian midfield. However, the 2018 World Cup runners-up soon found a different gear after being outplayed early on.
Andrej Kramaric had the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman’s flag came to Canada’s rescue. Their joy would be short-lived, though, as veteran Ivan Perisic slid the ball to Karamaric once again from the left, and the Hoffenheim striker found the far corner to restore parity in the contest.
Eight minutes later, Croatia took the lead in the match as Marko Livaja fired into the net from the edge of the area after being fed by Mateo Kovacic.
Croatia hit cruise control in the second half as Kramaric scored his second goal of the night in the 70th minute to all but confirm his side’s victory. Canada were then put of their misery when Mislav Orsic broke clear and squared the ball for Lovro Majer to drive home from close range.
Elsewhere, substitute Niclas Fullkrug came on and scored a goal with seven minutes left on the clock to salvage a late point for Germany in their high-voltage clash with Spain.
Alvaro Morata had given La Roja the lead in the 62nd minute before the German equaliser. Despite the point, Germany continue to be at the bottom of Group E with just one point, after their opening-day defeat at the hands of Japan.
