In their second Group F match, Canada fell apart and lost 4-1 to Croatia to dismiss any opportunity at qualifying for the round of 16. A defeat was the only nuance they couldn’t afford and unfortunately, that’s what they got. Canada coach John Herdman’s lewd comments about Croatia got a lot of attention, still, it turned to be all pomp and no show.
Canada sent in Cyle Larin up front for Junior Hoilett, Atiba Hutchinson got his 100th cap and the former got to work right away. In the second minute, goalkeeper Milan Borjan sent a long ball that Larin fielded cleanly, with space. He transferred the ball to Tajon Buchanan on the right wing, with space. Buchanan shot a gorgeous ball arcing across the box and Alphonso Davies hunted it, going over Josip Juranovic and heading the ball into the net. Canada’s men had their first World Cup goal, that too from their greatest player. It was record-breaking.