Three massive points are at stake when Croatia and Canada meet in a FIFA World Cup Group F match, as both nations seek a victory that would put them in a strong position to advance to the Round of 16 as one of the top two finishers in the group.
The Canadian team earned praise around the globe after playing Belgium off the park in their first World Cup match since 1986. However, they lost 1-0 and will be desperate to get something from the Croatia match, with Morocco waiting on the final matchday next Thursday.
World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia are, on paper, the stronger side, with several players who ply their trade at Europe’s top clubs. However, they looked average in their opener against Morocco, which finished 0-0.
They’ll have some extra motivation when they face Canada on Sunday courtesy of a comment from Les Rouges coach John Herdman, which Croatia didn’t take that well.
Herdman told a Canadian national TV audience that his message to his team after the Belgium loss was to go out and “eff Croatia” in the next game.
A Croatian tabloid newspaper caught wind and published a cover with a doctored image of a naked Herdman, crudely asking whether he and Canada had the guts to show it on the field. The Toronto Sun answered in kind on his behalf, and Croatia’s manager demanded respect.
The back-and-forth has only served to raise the flame under a match that shouldn’t take too long to boil over.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Croatia vs. Canada at the 2022 World Cup. Follow below for complete results from the Group F match in Qatar.
MORE: Best bets for Canada vs. Croatia
Croatia vs Canada live score
1H | 2H | Final | |
Croatia | 1 | — | — |
Canada | 1 | — | — |
Goals:
2nd min — CAN — Alphonso Davies
36th min — CRO — Andrej Kramaric
44th min — CRO — Marko Livaja
Confirmed starting lineups:
Croatia (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 24. Sutalo, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic — 7. Majer, 14. Livaja, 4. Perisic
Canada (3-4-3, right to left): 18. Borjan (GK) — 2. Johnston, 5. Vitoria, 4. Miller — 11. Buchanan, 7. Eustaquio, 13. Hutchinson, 3. Adekugbe — 20. David, 17. Larin, 19. Davies
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
LIVE Group F standings
Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Morocco | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
2. Croatia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
3. Belgium | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
4. Canada | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
Croatia vs Canada live updates, highlights from 2022 World Cup
Croatia vs. Canada: First half
44th min: GOAL! CROATIA! It’s a quickfire double for the Europeans, and they have turned the game on its head! A total breakdown for Canada defensively, and the one man to come into today’s starting lineup, Marko Livaja, has the goal. A disaster for Canada before the half, as they’ve been pummeled for the last 15-20 minutes of this match.
Watch in the USA:
TWO FOR CROATIA
What a turnaround 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xnM13wpAli
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022
Watch in Canada:
Disaster end to the half for Canada as Croatia scores a second goal to take the lead. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Aow8tz9VMx
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2022
40th min: Stephen Eustaquio is down and requiring treatment, which is a massive worry for Canada, as he is one of their most important players in midfield. He is able to walk off under his own power and, for now, looks like he’ll return to the action.
At the least, the stoppage is a needed breather for Canada who are dealing with immense Croatian pressure, even after the goal. The European side has its ears pinned back.
36th min: GOAL! CROATIA! It’s been coming, and there’s the equalizer! Kramaric, who has been knocking on the door for quite a while, is the man with the breakthrough. It comes on a great diagonal ball from Ivan Perisic on the right edge of the penalty area, and the Croatian striker had a decent window for the equalizer.
Watch in the USA:
THERE’S THE EQUALIZER
Croatia ties things up in the first half 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/hmJyPguuXw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022
Watch in Canada:
Croatia has tied the game on an Andrej Kramaric strike.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/UYlSTUrtxX
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2022
35th min: Chance, Croatia! As we thought, there’s a great look on goal at the end of that Croatian possession, and it requires a BIG SAVE from Milan Borjan! Modric’s vertical ball feeds a striker, but Borjan is there to keep it out from a tight angle.
34th min: The pressure from Croatia is unrelenting, and only last-ditch defending keeps them from getting a good shot on goal from a long throw. Luka Modric has the best look, but it’s blocked. Canadian defenders scrambling just to put a lid on things.
A wonderful cross from Modric is just inches over the head of Kramaric. There’s a goal in this possession if it keeps up…
30th min: Croatia have looked the better side over the past 5-10 minutes, and Canada will need to be careful. Canada are still getting forward in this end-to-end game, but they have not been able to put together the end product since their bright opening.
Tajon Buchanan is needed to track back and make a tackle after a Croatian attacker got behind Johnston. Lots of Croatian pressure.
26th min: DISALLOWED GOAL FOR CROATIA! It’s a GORGEOUS goal from Croatia, as Andrej Kramaric beats the Canada defense one-on-three, but the flag is up for offside. It’s actually not Kramaric who’s offside, it’s Livaja, the man who fed him on the break who was just leaning past the defensive line. A massive warning for the Canadian defense.
Watch in the USA:
Croatia thinks it has the equalizer but the offside flag comes up 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/bTkQ9aG6tN
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022
Watch in Canada:
The flag is up!
Croatia is deemed to have been offside by a hair, preserving Canada’s lead at 1-0. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lOSJn1hHGO
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2022
21st min: This game is WIDE OPEN, end-to-end stuff. First, Croatia have a pinging ball around the box cleared again before they can work a shot on net. Then Canada break down the other end and Alphonso Davies has room to drive into the box. He’s closed off and delivers a cross laterally to the penalty spot, but it’s behind his two supporting attackers.
18th min: Croatia see a good attacking move trouble Borjan in the Canada goal again, as he nervously punches one into traffic, momentarily leaving the goal gaping, but nobody can get a shot off before he recovers. Borjan has had a couple of nervy moments so far.
15th min: The game has been very back and forth so far, but no real looks on goal. Canada have a half-chance as Laryea sends in a great ball from deep for Davies making another incisive run, but he’s shaded away from a dangerous position and the chance evaporates.
9th min: Chance, Canada! Cyle Larin is clean through on goal and nearly has a second, but he’s blocked away with good goalkeeping from Dominik Livakovic. The flag goes up, so it wouldn’t have counted anyways, and the replay shows he was well off. In the end it’s a great offside trap from the Croatian defense.
7th min: A YIKES moment for Milan Borjan in goal for Canada as he spills a deflected cross right on the goal line, but there’s no Croatian player to pounce and it’s ultimately not punished.
6th min: Khalifa International Stadium is ENERGIZED with this early start from Canada. It’s LOUD.
2nd min: GOAL! CANADA! Canada have their first-ever World Cup goal, and it had to be Alphonso Davies! A perfect delivery from Tajon Buchanan comes into space in the penalty are, and Davies charges in front of the Croatian defender and delivers a TOWERING header! No saving that!
WHAT a start for Canada, as Croatia falls asleep at the back!
Watch in the USA:
CANADA HAS SCORED ITS FIRST EVER FIFA WORLD CUP GOAL 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/aF2CBvGUFz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022
Watch in Canada:
THE FIRST GOAL EVER SCORED AT THE WORLD CUP FOR CANADA: ALPHONSO DAVIES! 🇨🇦#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/0t3iLwtCvk
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2022
Watch in the UK:
What a start 😲
Canada’s 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 World Cup goal! 🇨🇦
Alphonso Davies scores after one minute and seven seconds to give his side a shock lead 🔥
📺📻📲 Watch on @BBCiPlayer, listen on @BBCSounds & get more on the @BBCSport app#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/H8Uax2H2RT
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 27, 2022
Watch in Australia:
DAVIES SCORES IN 68 SECONDS! 😲🇨🇦
Canada have their first ever #FIFAWorldCup goal in just the second minute!
Watch Croatia v Canada at the #FIFAWorldCup from Qatar LIVE right now on @SBS and @SBSOnDemand! 🇭🇷 🇨🇦
▶: https://t.co/C0cZS4yayB#SBSWorldCup #WeAllSpeakFootball pic.twitter.com/hmxpzhcVKb
— SBS Sport (@SBSSportau) November 27, 2022
1st min: National anthems are complete, and this match is under way! Lots of storylines around this game, which will now shape the other half of Group F following Morocco’s win over Belgium.
Croatia vs. Canada: Pre-match analysis, commentary
15 mins to kickoff: Canada have never scored a World Cup goal, now empty in four attempts. John Herdman has brought on all-time leading goalscorer Cyle Larin in the hopes of changing that. A 27-year-old Larin has 25 goals to his name, and while his mark surely won’t last long given Jonathan David is already on 22 goals at just 22 years old, Larin remains a key figure both on and off the field for the national team.
Canada make one change. Cyle Larin for Junior Hoilett. No surprise. All four times in WCQ that Larin was left on the bench, he came on as a sub and then started the next game. Same again here. pic.twitter.com/FLr2SBh1UP
— Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) November 27, 2022
35 mins to kickoff: Canada will be wearing their famous black kits in today’s match after receiving an exemption to divert from their regular red or white options. Les Rouges took a ton of flak this summer when it was announced that they would not be getting new kits for the World Cup like most other countries, since their deal with Nike featured a two-year kit cycle. To calm the noise, they have revived their black kits with Nike’s approval.
🇨🇦 v. 🇭🇷
11.27.2022 @FIFAWorldCup #WeCAN pic.twitter.com/sGKvtzwWmV
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 27, 2022
52 mins to kickoff: Morocco has scored a second goal late in the match, and they defeat Belgium 2-0 to go top of Group F. It’s a shocking result, as Belgium just have not looked sharp all tournament. The result means that defeat to Croatia would officially be the end of Canada’s chances at reaching the knockout stage, while a draw would also leave them lagging behind and in a difficult position.
With the Morocco win over Belgium, here’s what the #CanMNT needs to do in their last 2 games to have a chance
Simply put – just win, baby pic.twitter.com/Sslt3LwXHZ
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) November 27, 2022
1 hr 12 mins from kickoff: The lineups are out, and Herdman has indeed given a 100th cap to Atiba Hutchinson. Sam Adekugbe is on the bench for a second straight lineup, which is not something we would have guessed before the World Cup. Cyle Larin comes into the lineup up front after coming on as a substitute against Belgium.
For Croatia, it’s just the single change necessitated by the injury to Nikola Vlasic, who is replaced by Marko Livaja. All the team news is below in the lineups section.
1 hr 24 mins from kickoff: The other Group F game is going on right now between Morocco and Belgium, with the African side recently going in front. It would it be huge for both Canada and Croatia if that match finished level, but that will require a Belgian response. It was scoreless at the break as Hakim Ziyech had a goal chalked off in the first half for offside, as Romain Saiss was deemed to have interfered with the goalkeeper on the set-piece delivery.
HIGHLIGHT: Watch in the US | Watch in Canada
It was this close for Morocco 😬 pic.twitter.com/jLufhz6Ab2
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022
However in the 73rd minute Abdelhamid Sabiri delivered a brilliant free-kick to put Morocco up! Now Belgium must respond.
HIGHLIGHT: Watch in the US | Watch in Canada
1 hr 44 mins from kickoff: Captain Atiba Hutchinson is on 99 caps, and an appearance in either of the final two group stage games would make him the first Canada international to reach the century mark. He’s the only member of this Canada squad who was alive the last time Canada made the World Cup.
If Atiba Hutchinson plays against Croatia today, he’ll become the first to have 100 appearances with the #CanMNT.
He debuted in 2003, when the team ranked 70th in the world, and stayed through the rise from a historic low of 122nd to today.
9 goals for country too. pic.twitter.com/cqMMf0mh6k
— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) November 27, 2022
2hrs 15 mins from kickoff: We are still some way away from the lineups being announced in this one, but we know already that there is likely to be a change for Croatia. Nikola Vlasic was withdrawn at halftime against Morocco with a calf problem, and doesn’t make our projected 11 for this one as a result. You can check out all the team news below!
2hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Croatia’s fans have certainly been getting ready for today’s action by the looks of things. These were the scenes from the Vatreni fans earlier today!
The best way to start a #FIFAWorldCup matchday? 🌅
The biggest fan banner – over 2⃣0⃣0⃣ metres long! – and a song! 🎶 #Family ❤️🔥 #Vatreni
🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️
⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥#Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/OMRQxh1gma— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 27, 2022
3 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: Herdman called the comments he made “a learning moment” when asked before the match about the back-and-forth it triggered:
John Herdman reacts to the viral photo from a Croatian tabloid ahead of their match on Sunday 😅😂 #FIFAWorldCup
Check out the full 1-on-1 with @tsnjamesduthie HERE: https://t.co/MUvQg1MSMz pic.twitter.com/U1OwhoM4H1
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 26, 2022
3 hrs 45mins from kickoff: TSN’s Matthew Scianitti with the latest update from Qatar on the ‘eff Croatia’ controversy, and lineup questions.
Are changes coming to Canada’s starting XI tomorrow? @TSNScianitti weighs in pic.twitter.com/2K4I3hPFgl
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 26, 2022
4 hrs from kickoff: Canada supporters gearing up for this decisive match can get their juices flowing by watching this video:
Croatia vs Canada lineups, team news
Nikola Vlasic picked up a calf injury during the Morocco match and sits as expected with Marko Livaja the surprise selection to replace him. The 29-year-old forward plays domestically for Hadjuk Split in Croatia.
Other changes were reportedly being entertained are at the back, but ultimately no other alterations were made as Dejan Lovren and Andrej Kramaric retaining their positions in the starting lineup.
Croatia confirmed lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic — 14. Livaja, 9. Kramaric, 4. Perisic.
Ready? This is #Croatia starting lineup! 🥁 #CROCAN #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #Family ❤️🔥 #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/O8uzt9O5a4
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 27, 2022
Canada manager John Herdman has said all 26 players are available for selection, but the lineup speculation has revolved around whether some of the players could use a break with three matches played in the span of eight days.
Herdman makes one change from the close call against Belgium, as Cyle Larin comes in to replace Junior Hoilett. Stars Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David retain their places, while captain Atiba Hutchinson becomes the first Canadian international ever to reach 100 caps.
Davies and Alistair Johnston, two of Canada’s most important players, are one yellow card away from being suspended for the final game, but Herdman said he’s not thinking about cards when naming the lineup.
Canada confirmed lineup (3-5-2, right to left): 18. Borjan (GK) — 2. Johnston, 5. Vitoria, 4. Miller — 22. Laryea, 7. Eustaquio, 11. Buchanan, 13. Hutchinson, 19. Davies — 20. David, 17. Larin.
YOUR #CANMNT STARTING XI! 🇨🇦#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/A9O3EbrWRh
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 27, 2022
Croatia vs Canada live stream, TV channel
This was already set to be a barnburner based on the fact that both teams are desperate for three points. Add the fact that Canada coach John Herdman stated on national TV that he told his team they’ve got to go out and “eff Croatia,” and that has the potential to inject another level of animosity to the encounter.
The upstart Canadians lost a heartbreaker against Belgium, prompting the emotional outburst by Herdman. Although Belgium survived the Canadian scare, World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia could be an upset candidate given how poor they looked in their scoreless draw against Morocco.
Here’s how you can watch all the action in the major global territories.
Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming | |
USA | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 11:00 ET | FS1, Telemundo | fuboTV, Fox Sports site/app, Telemundo Deportes site/app, Peacock |
Canada | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 11:00 EST | CTV, TSN, RDS (French) |
CTV site/app, TSN site/app, RDS app |
UK | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 16:00 GMT | BBC One | BBC iPlayer |
Australia | Monday, Nov. 28 | 03:00 AEDT | SBS | SBS On Demand |
India | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 21:30 IST | Sports18 | Voot, JioTV |
Hong Kong | Monday, Nov. 28 | 00:00 HKT | Now TV (Ch. 616, 618) | Now TV |
Malaysia | Monday, Nov. 28 | 00:00 MYT | Astro, TV2, Unifi TV |
Astro GO |
Singapore | Monday, Nov. 28 | 00:00 SGT | StarHub (Ch. 251/252), Singtel TV |
Singtel TV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+, MeWatch |
New Zealand | Monday, Nov. 28 | 05:00 NZDT | Prime TV, Sky Sport 7 beIN |
Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW |
Watch the match on fuboTV in USA:
Hits: 0