World Cup day eight: Who's playing and what to expect
Croatia face Canada in their second Group F match at the World Cup with the hopes of earning their first win after being held to a goalless draw against Morocco last time out. The 2018 World Cup finalists were far from their best in that opening game and will be focused on getting the job done against Canada.
However, that will be a tricky task. As Belgium found out in their opener, this Canadian team is full of young, spirited talent that utilises pace and pressing to their advantage. They were the more aggressive team against the Belgians and were left ruing Alphonso Davies’ missed penalty as they eventually lost 1-0.
Both managers stressed the importance of moving forward following those opening games. Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic is dealing increased expectations following his team’s incredible run at the previous tournament whilst Canada manager John Herdman wants his players to build on their impressive performance.
If Canada lose today they are out of the World Cup, but a victory will put qualification to the knockout stages in their hands ahead of a final group game against Morocco on Thursday.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
Croatia 0-1 Canada
22 mins: Close! Great play from Kovacic who ghosts past Hutchinson in midfield. He threads it into Kramaric but the forward is unable to turn or get a shot away.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
20 mins: Juranovic is having a nightmare against Davies! Modric’s loose touch (yes, Modric’s loose touch) leads to a Canada break and Davies bursts past the full-back on the wing. His pass inside goes between Larin and David, and Canada clear.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
18 mins: Almost! Buchanan has made a great start out on the Canada right. He was thrilling against Belgium too with his runs inside and almost combines with Larin. Croatia clear but Juranovic heads over a deep cross to gift Canada a corner.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
16 mins: Croatia are moving the ball quite sharply. Borjan flaps at a cross from Sosa and Perisic is almost played in on the return.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
14 mins: Canada do clear and are able to settle. John Herdman’s side move the ball well as Laryea finds Davies with a clever pass inside. Croatia are able to push Davies away from goal and win it back.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
12 min: Croatia go short but Canada are unable to clear completely. Eustaquio hacks away as Croatia stay on the front foot.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
10 mins: Perisic gets his first couple of opportunities out on the left. He beats Johnston the first time, hanging a cross to no one at the back post, before Johnston deflects the second out for a corner.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
7 mins: Of course, Croatia are better than most at cutting teams open with the ball, with Modric and Kovacic in midfield.
But Canada are threatening! Buchanan rampages down the right before Larin gets caught well offside, as he is denied by Livakovic.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
5 mins: That sets up Canada perfectly too - who can drop off into their shape and attack Croatia on the counter-attack.
Croatia look to build themselves into it. Kramaric’s cross is deflected but Borjan collects, using the crossbar to help him.
Croatia 0-1 Canada
3 mins: That’s an incredible moment for Davies - who of course missed that important penalty against Belgium.
And what a start to this game. So many matches at this World Cup have been goalless at half time, but this has exploded into life!
