Match report

Croatia Defeats Canada 4-1 in World Cup Opener

Croatia
Croatia
4–1
FT
Canada
Canada
Nov 27, 2022

In an electrifying start to their World Cup campaign, Croatia emerged victorious against Canada by a score of 4-1. The Canadians took an early lead through Alphonso Davies but couldn't sustain the momentum as Croatian forwards Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja found their rhythm, leading a formidable comeback.

Key Facts

  • • Alphonso Davies opened the scoring for Canada in the 2nd minute.
  • • Andrej Kramaric scored twice for Croatia at minutes 36 and 70.
  • • Marko Livaja also netted a goal for Croatia at minute 44.
  • • Luka Majer sealed Croatia's victory with a late goal in the 90th+4th minute.

Lineups

Croatia

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Livaković (G)
  • 22 J. Juranović (D)
  • 6 D. Lovren (D)
  • 20 J. Gvardiol (M)
  • 19 B. Sosa (D)
  • 10 L. Modrić (M)
  • 11 M. Brozović (D)
  • 8 M. Kovačić (M)
  • 14 M. Livaja (F)
  • 9 A. Kramarić (F)
  • 4 I. Perišić (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 B. Petković
  • 13 N. Vlašić
  • 15 M. Pašalić
  • 7 L. Majer
  • 18 M. Oršić
  • 25 L. Sučić
  • 5 M. Erlić
  • 17 A. Budimir
  • 12 I. Grbić
  • 24 J. Šutalo
  • 23 I. Ivušić
  • 3 B. Barišić
  • 2 J. Stanišić
  • 26 K. Jakić

Canada

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting XI

  • 18 M. Borjan (G)
  • 2 A. Johnston (D)
  • 5 S. Vitória (M)
  • 4 K. Miller (M)
  • 22 R. Laryea (D)
  • 13 A. Hutchinson (D)
  • 7 S. Eustáquio (M)
  • 19 A. Davies (M)
  • 11 T. Buchanan (M)
  • 17 C. Larin (F)
  • 20 J. David (F)

Substitutes

  • 21 J. Osorio
  • 15 I. Koné
  • 10 J. Hoilett
  • 9 L. Cavallini
  • 3 S. Adekugbe
  • 16 J. Pantemis
  • 26 J. Waterman
  • 8 L. Fraser
  • 24 D. Wotherspoon
  • 1 D. St. Clair
  • 12 I. Ugbo
  • 14 M. Kaye
  • 25 D. Cornelius
  • 23 L. Millar
  • 6 S. Piette

Timeline

  1. Canada
    2' Canada Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Davies · Assist: T. Buchanan
  2. Croatia
    36' Croatia Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Kramaric · Assist: Ivan Perišić
  3. Croatia
    44' Croatia Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Livaja · Assist: J. Juranovic
  4. Canada
    46' Canada subst · Substitution 1
    Off: C. Larin · On: J. Osorio
  5. Canada
    46' Canada subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Eustaquio · On: Ismael Koné
  6. Canada
    52' Canada Card · Yellow Card
    T. Buchanan

    Foul

  7. Croatia
    56' Croatia Card · Yellow Card
    Dejan Lovren

    Off the ball foul

  8. Croatia
    60' Croatia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Livaja · On: B. Petković
  9. Canada
    62' Canada subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Laryea · On: J. Hoilett
  10. Croatia
    70' Croatia Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Kramaric · Assist: Ivan Perišić
  11. Canada
    72' Canada subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. David · On: L. Cavallini
  12. Croatia
    73' Croatia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Kramaric · On: N. Vlasic
  13. Canada
    73' Canada subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Hutchinson · On: S. Adekugbe
  14. Canada
    85' Canada Card · Yellow Card
    Kamal Miller

    Argument

  15. Croatia
    86' Croatia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Modrić · On: M. Pasalic
  16. Croatia
    86' Croatia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Kovačić · On: L. Majer
  17. Croatia
    86' Croatia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Ivan Perišić · On: M. Orsic
  18. Croatia
    90'+4 Croatia Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Majer · Assist: M. Orsic

Match Stats

Stat Croatia Canada
Fouls 13 5
Pass Accuracy 84% 84%
Offsides 1 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 8
Corners 5 2
Total Passes 443 473
Yellow Cards 2 2
Blocked Shots 0 3
Shots on Target 10 2
Shots off Target 3 3
Possession 48% 52%
Accurate Passes 372 399
Shots Inside Box 9 1
Saves 1 6
Shots Outside Box 4 7

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Croatia turned things around after an early goal by Davies, equalizing through Kramaric and taking the lead with Livaja's strike.
  • ▸ The second half saw Croatia's dominance solidified as they capitalized on several substitutions to maintain their offensive pressure.