Croatia crushed Canada’s hopes of progressing in Qatar, with the 2018 finalists fighting back as Alfonso Davis scored his first World Cup goal to give his country a brilliant start.
Bayern Munich winger Davies put Canada ahead after just 68 seconds, striding into the box and meeting Tajon Buchanan’s cross with a powerful header in the first attack of the game.
Croatia didn’t panic after falling behind, though, and striker Andrej Kramarek created a number of chances with a goal ruled out for offside.
The former Leicester player equalized when he found the net with a first-time angled shot from Ivan Perisic, and Marko Levaja put Croatia ahead from the edge of the box.
Kramarek was denied by a fine save from Milan Borjan in the second half, and at the other end, Dominik Levakovic acrobatically tipped in Jonathan David’s long-range curler.
Hoffenheim frontman Kramaric got his second of the game coolly converting into the far corner, and substitute Lovro Majer netted in injury time to seal the match.
Canada may have scored a goal, but they are still waiting for their first point in a World Cup group match and can no longer qualify for the last 16.
Croatia keep your cool
You might have expected the first meeting between Croatia and Canada to be a straightforward affair – in fact it was anything but, there was already a war of words taking place.
English Canada boss John Herdman said before the game that he would “finish Croatia”, with opposition manager Zlatko Dalic responding by saying it was “not a sign of respect”.
Once on the pitch, Canada lived up to its word by scoring inside just two minutes courtesy of a powerful header from star winger Davies.
It was a wonderful moment for the 22-year-old to score his country’s first World Cup goal, born in a refugee camp after his parents fled the civil war in Liberia to Canada.
But the youth’s joy and excitement turned to frustration against a smart Croatia who have vast experience and kept their cool to fight back.
They overwhelmed Canada’s backline under pressure, and Kramark’s leveler on the stroke of half-time and Levaja’s beautiful strike turned the game around.
Jonathan Osorio struck inches wide shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute as Canada – playing in their first World Cup since 1986 – looked to find a way back into the game.
But Kramarek struck again with a second Perisic assist, brilliantly bringing down a cross and slotting in, before Major punished Kemal Miller’s horrendous mistake as Croatia ran out comfortable winners.
They have now lost just once in their last 18 matches, and face world number two Belgium on Thursday to secure a place in the next round.
