Canada scores historic first men’s FIFA World Cup goal in loss to Croatia

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team scored a historic first goal at the FIFA World Cup, but were ultimately eliminated after a 4:1 loss to Croatia on Sunday night in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Alphonso Davies was the goalscorer after just 67 seconds, but Andrej Kramarić (twice), Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer in added time won the match for the returning runners up from Russia 2018.

“Canada can be proud of the players because they put a real Canadian effort in the game”, said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Head Coach. “That’s two games we’ve played at a FIFA World Cup where we’ve been able to compete for long periods, so to score our first goal was a moment that we will always remember.”

Canada captain Atiba Hutchinson made his 100th international “A” appearance in the Sunday match, making him the first Men’s National Team player to reach the milestone. The Canada squad made their country proud and competed the 90-plus minutes with courage in front of the 44,374 fans at Khalifa International Stadium. 

“Going into the next match, we’ll dust ourselves off and refocus because there’s a lot to play for against a very good Moroccan team. Our players will be motivated to make more history for Canada,” said Herdman.

On Canada’s historic first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup goal, goalkeeper Milan Borjan’s long kick was taken down by Cyle Larin in the middle of the pitch and he played it right to Tajon Buchanan who took a couple of touches to move up the right side. Buchanan then delivered a perfect cross into the box while Davies jumped past right back Josip Juranović and headed the ball past goalkeeper Dominik Livaković to give Canada the 1-0 lead after just 67 seconds of play.

Canada Soccer Match Centre & Match Report : https://canadasoccer.com/national-team-match-upcoming/?matchId=3298

FIFA Match Centre : https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/17/255711/285063/400235482?country=CA&wtw-filter=ALL

Next, Canada will conclude their group stage experience by playing Morocco on Thursday 1 December 18.00 local (10.00 ET /7.00 PT) Al Thumama at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Canadian residents will be able to watch all of Canada’s group stage matches throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through TSN, CTV and RDS. Their final group stage match against Morocco will be at 18.00 local (10.00 ET /7.00 PT) on Thursday 1 December. All FIFA World Cup Qatar matches will be broadcasted live on TSN, online at tsn.ca, and through the TSN app. Fans will enjoy increased coverage of Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team on Canada Soccer’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, using the #CANMNT keyword.

CANADA SOCCER’S MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team are the reigning Kings of Concacaf, having finished first overall in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers from September 2021 to March 2022. It marked the third time that Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team won a Concacaf title, having previously won the 1985 Concacaf Championship and the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup. Canada now looks forward to their second participation at the men’s FIFA World Cup.

CAN 1 : 4 CRO
2022-11-27 Al Rayyan, Qatar
TSN ; Khalifa International Stadium att. 44,374 
Referee / Arbitre : Andres Cabrera (Nicolás Taran, Martin Soppi, Kevin Ortega)  

Goals / Buts
CAN 2′  Alphonso Davies (head / tête) 1-0 (a.Tajon Buchanan)
CRO 36 Andrej Kramarić (left foot / pied gauche) 1-1 (a.Ivan Perišić)
CRO 44′ Marko Livaja (right foot / pied droit) 1-2 (a. Josip Juranović)
CRO 70′ Andrej Kramaric (right foot / pied droit) 1-3 (a.Ivan Perišić) 
CRO 90+4′ Lovro Majer (left foot / pied gauche) 1-4 (a.Mislav Orsiv)

CANADA – 18 GK Milan Borjan, 2 Alistair Johnston, 5 Steven Vitória, 4 Kamal Miller, 22 Richie Laryea (10 Junior Hoilett 62′), 11 Tajon Buchanan, 13 Atiba Hitchinson cap. (3 Samuel Adekube 72′), 7 Stephen Eustáquio (15 Ismaël Koné HT),19 Alphonso Davies, 20 Jonathan David (9 Lucas Cavalini 72′),17 Cyle Larin (21 Jonathan Osorio HT). Coach / entraîneur John Herdman. Unused substitutes / substituts non utilisés:1 GK Dayne St.Clair, 16 GK James Pantemis; 6 Samuel Piette, 8 Liam Fraser, 12 Iké Ugbo, 14 Mark Anthony Kaye, 23 Liam Millar, 24 David Woterspoon, 25 Derek Corneilius, 26 Joel Waterman, 27 Doneil Henry.

Gatorade Performance of the Match / Performance du match Gatorade :
Alphonso Davies 

Group F Standings / Classement du groupe F :
4 points (+3) | Croatia
4 points (+2) | Morocco
3 points (-1)  | Belgium
0 points (-4)  | Canada