CROATIA – CANADA | Sunday 5pm
After the first day, in Group F there is – as predicted – the favourite Belgium in front of everyone, thanks to the far from deserved success against Canada in the opener. But the feeling is that this is a group with hierarchies that are still not well defined and that could give rise to a few surprises. Croatia, meanwhile, failed to break through Morocco’s defence, limiting themselves to fairly sterile dribbling. Against the Lions of the Atlas, Modric and his team-mates did not go beyond a 0-0 draw and it is a result that makes the North Africans decidedly happier, capable of stopping the reigning vice world champions and closing all the gaps to them. The white and red chequered national team wasted several chances in the first half, confirming the offensive drought that had already been glimpsed in the last friendly against Saudi Arabia, beaten 1-0. Thus, the long streak of eleven matches in which Croatia had always scored in the final phase of a World Cup was interrupted.
And in the second half the Moroccans compacted even further, coming close on several occasions to scoring the goal that would in all probability have given them a resounding victory. Ahead of a thrilling direct clash with Belgium on the final day, coach Zlatko Dalic and his men know they can make no more mistakes.
And to avoid nasty surprises, the three points are imperative with the Canadians. Little can be blamed on John Herdman’s men, who on points would have deserved at least a draw against highly-rated Belgium (1-0). On the eve of the match, many doubts hovered over Canada, being an inexperienced selection on paper, which was returning to the World Cup 36 years after its last appearance. Yet David and his teammates did not disappoint, shooting 22 times towards the Belgian goal, masterfully protected by a gigantic Courtois. The negative protagonist was Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies, who missed the penalty of the possible lead by being hypnotised by the Real Madrid goalkeeper. The goal ‘curse’ continues for Canada, still without a goal or a point in their matches at the World Cup.
Croatia-Canada: the latest line-up news
Larin
In Croatia, Vlasic is heavily in doubt: the Torino striker was replaced with a muscle problem against Morocco and may not be reconfirmed in the starting line-up. Dalic is therefore thinking about different options, while maintaining the 4-3-3: the main suspect to take his place is Pasalic, from Atalanta, but Livaja is also in the running. Confirmed instead for Kramaric, who will position himself in the centre of the trident, and for Perisic. For the rest, the usual midfield formed by Modric, Brozovic and Kovacic, certainly the most assorted department. No changes in defence either, where Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol and Sosa will play.
Herdman, Canada’s selector, will re-propose en bloc the eleven that faced Belgium in the opener. The only doubt concerns the three-quarter, where Larin could be preferred to Hoilett, Reading’s experienced outside forward.
The Prediction
Canada didn’t just speculate against Belgium and this leads us to believe that with Croatia they will do the same, playing it openly. On the other hand, we will probably see a different attitude from the Croatians: they will be more aggressive and this time they should also be more accurate in goal. The victory of Modric and his teammates does not seem to us to be in question, but it cannot be ruled out that the Canadians will manage to score at least one goal, thus breaking their eternal fast in a World Cup.
Croatia-Canada line-up probables
- CROATIA (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.
- CANADA (5-4-1): Borjan; Laryea, Johnston, Vitoria, Miller, Davies; Buchanan, Hutchinson, Eustaquio, Larin; David.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
