Canada scored its historic World Cup first goal 67 seconds into the game, but lost 4 goals to Croatia and was eliminated from the group stage for the first time in 36 years.
Canada lost 1-4 after failing to keep Alfonso Davis' opening goal in 67 seconds in the second leg of Group F of the 2022 International Football Federation Qatar World Cup group stage held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on the 28th.
▲ The first World Cup goal in Canadian history, 67 seconds after kickoff
With this, Canada became the second team to be eliminated from the group stage of the tournament, after host country Qatar.
Canada, which has been qualifying since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, has never made it to the finals until this tournament, except for Mexico in 1986.
In the 1986 competition, they suffered 3 defeats without scoring and were unable to accumulate points, let alone wins.
Canada, who lost 0-1 to Belgium in the first match of the World Cup finals after 36 years, suffered the pain of 'five consecutive losses' due to the onslaught of Croatia, the runner-up in the last tournament.
In addition, as Croatia's points rose to 4 along with Morocco, who defeated Belgium earlier, they could not advance to the round of 16 even if they added 3 points in the next game.
Looking forward, Canada had to settle for a historic World Cup first goal with Davis' goal.
Croatia reported their first win of the tournament and jumped to first place in the group, giving them an advantage in advancing to the round of 16.
Even if they draw against Belgium scheduled for the 2nd of next month, they will advance to the round of 16 with at least second place in the group.
Canada scored the first goal 67 seconds into the game, raising expectations for a historic first win.
Tajon Buchanan took advantage of the gap between Croatia's defense and crossed from the right flank, and Davies jumped up and finished with a header.
In the 26th minute of the first half, Croatia seemed to be able to score a comeback by attacking the space behind Canada, which had raised its defensive line.
Andrei Kramaric drove the ball to the right side of the penalty area and shook the net with a right-footed shot aimed at the opposite post, but it was called offside and hit the ground.
10 minutes later, Kramaric scored a real equaliser to relieve the disappointment.
After receiving Ivan Perisic's exquisite penetrating pass, Kramaric rushed to the left side of the penalty area this time and stabbed the bottom of the opposite goal with his left foot.
Croatia, who gained momentum, scored an additional goal in the 44th minute of the first half.
▲ Exquisite pass, great finish! Croatia turns the game around
Josip Yuranovic advanced quickly from near the half-line, and after a struggle passed the ball to Marco Libaya, who was waiting near the penalty arc, and Libaya immediately connected it with a sharp grounder shot and shook the net.
In the second half, Canada put Davis at the forefront.
It was a strategy to maximize attack power even if the midfield was weakened, but rather, it was Croatia who created the threatening scene first.
In the 9th minute of the second half, Luka Modric tore Canada's right flank and gave it a pass to the center.
After 16 minutes, Perisic and Kramasic once again boasted their breath and put a wedge in the game.
Perisic, who beat the defender near the left corner of the penalty area, delivered an accurate cross, and Kramasic, who received it, also passed the defender and stabbed it into the bottom corner of the opposite goal.
In the 42nd minute of the second half, Croatia called Modric, Perisic and Mateo Kovacic to the bench at the same time to declare victory.
Instead, Mislav Orsic, who played a big role in the K-League under the registered name 'Orsha', was put in and played the ground until the end.
▲ 'Made in K-League' Orsic's conceded wedge goal
Orsic sprinted to Canada's undefended back in the counterattack situation in the second half of extra time, passed Mayer with a lob in front of the goal, and Mayer calmly kicked the game.
(Photo = Getty Image Korea)