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
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!
GOAL! Croatia 0-1 Canada (DAVIES 2’)
What a start! What a header! And it’s Davies who is the scorer!
What a moment for Canada - their first ever World Cup goal!
Buchanan swings in a brilliant cross and Davies arrives just in time to power a header into the net!
AMAZING!
Croatia 0-0 Canada
1 min: Croatia have lined up with Kramaric on the right and Lavaja, who is the only change from their opening team, through the middle.
Kick-off! Croatia 0-0 Canada
Underway at the Khalifa International Stadium! After Morocco’s win over Belgium, is another Group F shock on the cards?
Let’s find out.
Croatia vs Canada
What a sporting day this could be for Canada, who have just won the Davis Cup in tennis for the first time!
Croatia vs Canada
Can Alphonso Davies instead keep Canada’s World Cup hopes alive? His penalty miss proved crucial in the opening defeat to Belgium - and the Bayern Munich star will be keen to make ammends this afternoon.
Anthems next.
Croatia vs Canada
The teams are in the tunnel! Kick-off coming up.
Croatia vs Canada
How key will Luake Modric again be for Croatia today?
The Real Madrid maestro was left frustrated in Croatia’s opening game, with his team-mates being unable to get on the end of some of his passes and to take their chances.
Today’s match feels like a classic World Cup occassion where he makes the difference.
(Getty Images)
Croatia vs Canada
Zlatko Dalic was keen not to look back on Croatia’s run to the 2018 World Cup final when he spoke to reporters following the opening draw against Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium, with the need to move forward a repeated refrain.
“Four and a half years have passed and Croatia has almost a whole new national team ... we cannot draw comparisons between the two generations of players,” he said.
“This is another World Cup we have prepared. We know we are good, we know we can do it. We are prepared to fight on.”
