Croatia and Canada will face off for their second World Cup group stage game this Sunday at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
Key Statistics
Croatia are unbeaten in their last seven games (W5, D2).
They have failed to score in only one of their last 13 World Cup games.
Croatia have never lost their second group game at a World Cup (W4, D1).
Canada has never scored a goal at the World Cup.
They have kept one clean sheet in their last six games.
World Cup trivia: Croatia’s Luka Modrić has become the first man to play at the World Cup and European Championships in three different decades.
Head to head
This will be the first meeting between both sides.
Latest performances in all competitions
Croatia: D-W-W-W-W
Canada: L-W-D-L-W
Croatia
World number 12, Croatia will look to get their first win in this World Cup campaign when they take on 41st-ranked Canada at the Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday.
Zlatko Dalić’s men opened their World Cup campaign with a boring goalless draw with Morocco last time, a game that saw them manage only two shots on target in the process.
That goalless draw was the third of this World Cup after the 2018 edition in Russia only produced one in its entirety. However, it extended Croatia’s unbeaten run to seven matches (W5, D2). It was also the first time they had failed to score in 13 World Cup outings since 2006, so Dalić has urged his Croatia players to take off the handbrake as they search for an all-important win in this game.
The manager thought his side, which featured only four players from the 2018 World Cup final, “were afraid of mistakes” in the opening game against Morocco and will hope that they are more confident and bold this time against a Canada side who are looking to make their own history in this tournament.
With Belgium lying in wait in their final group match, the 2018 runners-up know they can ill afford any further slip-ups as they look to repeat their heroics of four years ago.
Possible Croatia starting line-up
Dominik Livakovic, Borna Sosa, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Juranovic, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, Nikola Vlasic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Canada
Despite playing so well in their first game, Canada could not record their first win of the World Cup as they were beaten 1-0 by World Number Two, Belgium.
John Herdman’s side outplayed their more talented opponents Belgium and recorded 21 shots on goal, including a penalty by Alphonso Davies. But they could not get past Thibaut Courtois in the Red Devil’s goal, so they continue waiting for a first goal in the World Cup.
The manager knows his team will have to find their shooting boots if they are to register their first-ever World Cup goal, let alone win, with their overall record now reading P4, L4.
Having lost all three of their games in Mexico in 1986, in what was their only previous finals appearance, they will be hoping for a better outing this time.
The coach still insists he’s “proud” of his players for their performance against Belgium, though, stating “they showed that they can live on this stage.”
Possible Canada starting line-up
Milan Borjan, Alistair Johnston, Steven Vitoria, Kamal Miller, Richmond Laryea, Stephen Eustáquio, Atiba Hutchinson, Alphonso Davies, Taejon Buchanan, Junior Hoilett, Jonathan David.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Odds
Croatia to win | Draw | Canada to win | |
Odds | 2.10 | 3.40 | 3.60 |
Probability (%) | 45 | 28 | 27 |
Prediction
Croatia 1-0 Canada
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream