Croatia 4-1 Canada

– We’ll fucking take them!

That was Canadian coach John Herdman’s message to his players before the game with Croatia. This decision caused the Croatian team to react, while several media described the comment as disrespectful.

After the match, Croatia were also able to speak the loudest, thanks to Andrej Kramarić. The striker scored two goals in the 4-1 win.

– We showed the hell who was going to take who, Kramarić said in the press conference after the game, referring to Herdman’s comment.

TV 2 football expert Yaw Amankwah was impressed with Kramarić against Canada.

– He was criticized for not scoring enough, but shows here that he is icy.

– I think the fact that he now has two goals, self-confidence and is fully committed to the World Cup is absolutely crucial for Croatia. Mandzukic has been the king and has really missed out so far.

Kramarić has scored goals in spades in the Bundesliga in recent seasons, but at the national team the outlet has never been perfect. Only 20 goals have been scored in 75 international matches before the game with Canada.

– How far can Kramaric push Croatia in the World Cup?

– When we look at the central line with a very experienced gentleman in Lovren and a young man in Gvardiol. They also have perhaps the best midfield trio in the WC. With that center line behind him, I think Kramaric will have both opportunities and space. He’s going to be tough to take down as Croatia now show they have more strings to play.

For Canada, the World Cup ends in the group stage. With two defeats in two games, they cannot get out of Group F.

– I’m disappointed. It is not easy to take this loss. We did our best, we fought every minute. This game is about winning, especially in tournaments, says Alphonso Davies.

Historic Davies

Like the pre-match statements, Canada went about their business disrespectfully against Croatia.

It took just 68 seconds before Canadian superstar Alphonso Davies put the men dressed in black in the lead. The goal was Canada’s first at the World Cup.

– Look how he comes with power, intransigence and ruthlessness, commented Endre Olav Osnes.

– His name will always be golden, Amankwah.

Croatian return

Kramaric thought he had equalized after 25 minutes, but a warm-up offside spoiled it 1-1.

– What an outcome for Kramaric and Croatia, commented Endre Olav Osnes.

Ten minutes later, the striker put the ball back in the goal from an angle. A fine tunnel pass from Ivan Perisic set up Kramaric for the 1-1 goal.

The recipe for the tunnel pass was also expected to lead to Croatia’s first goal. Josip Juranovic found Marko Livaja, who tapped in to make it 2-1 just before the break.

– A fantastic goal! He was a revelation, says Amankwah of Hajduk Split player Livaja.

Kramaric was the man on goal again as Croatia led 3-1 with twenty minutes remaining.

In extra time, Croatia made it 4-1 when Mislav Orsic served Lovro Majer into an open goal.