Four and half years have passed since that Croatia’s stunning World Cup final appearance. Their top stars – mostly in midfield – Modric, Brozovic, Perisic and Kovacic are way older than they used to be, and it’s pretty visible during the Qatar tournament.It started quite rusty for them against Morocco in the opening round, with almost no goal-scoring opportunities and a goalless draw in the end. However, their luck changed drastically in the second round against Canada on Sunday night.2’—Croatia 0-1 Canada44’—Croatia 2-1 CanadaPain. pic.twitter.com/Hi98AzhQHN— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 27, 2022 Not only they won comfortably 4-1, but after coming from behind, the Croats demonstrated exquisite character that separates the true greats from the others.The last World Cup’s silver medalists deserve even more praise for winning despite conceding against the North Americans just 67 seconds into the game. It was an impeccable piece of Alphonso Davies’ football skills as the Bayern Munich winger dived through the sky before sinking a lovely header behind the unprepared rival’s keeper.That turned out to be Croatia’s low in this tournament, but instead of frustration, they went for redemption. And it paid off big time.Real Madrid’s playmaker Luka Modric reminded us once again how fantastic he actually is, acting as the spine of this Croatian team that has much more flaws than in Russia 2018 but still plays football with lots of confidence and ease.And that’s what pulled them away from the brink of the abyss today, as Kramaric levelled the score before Livaja put his side in front even before the half-time interval. They were thriving and showing no mercy towards decent Canada, who had maybe scored their first-ever WC goal but lost the second match in this tournament. Against Belgium, it was highly undeserved, unlike today – Croats could have won with an even more significant margin if it wasn’t for keeper Milan Borjan, who made a couple of incredible saves.Canada’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan is a Serb refugee from Knin, whose family was ethnically cleansed in Operation Storm. He’s pretty well known here for patriotism tooIf he goes goblin mode against Croatia, that’s probably why pic.twitter.com/5DtJZX43sl— Nikolaj🍦🧦🇺🇦 (@nikicaga) November 27, 2022 Still, not even Borjan could stop unplayable Kramaric, who added one more to his name in the second half, before Majer netted in the stoppage time to seal a 4-1 victory. De Bruyne and the Red Devils have plenty of reasons to fear the last group game, as Belgium ought to win if they want to see the Round of 16.QATAR 2022 WORLD CUPSunday, Nov 20thQatar – Ecuador 0-2 (0-2)/Valencia 16 pen, 31/Monday, Nov 21stEngland – Iran 6-2 (3-0)/Bellingham 35, Saka 43, 62, Sterling 45+1, Rashford 71, Grealish 90 – Taremi 65, 90+12 p/Senegal – Netherlands 0-2 (0-0)/Gakpo 84, Klaassen 90+9/USA – Wales 1-1 (1-0)/Weah 36, Bale 82 pen/Tuesday, Nov 22ndArgentina – Saudi Arabia 1-2 (1-0)/Messi 10 pen – Al Shehri 48, Al Dawsari 53/Denmark – Tunisia 0-0Mexico – Poland 0-0France – Australia 4-1 (2-1)/Rabiot 27, Giroud 32, 71, Mbappe 68 – Goodwin 9/Wednesday, Nov 23rdMorocco – Croatia 0-0Germany – Japan 1-2 (1-0)/Gundogan 33 pen – Doan 75, Asano 83/Spain – Costa Rica 3-0 (3-0)/Olmo 11, Asensio 21, Torres 31 pen/Belgium – Canada 1-0 (1-0)/Batshuayi 44/Thursday, Nov 24thSwitzerland – Cameroon 1-0 (0-0)/Embolo 48/Uruguay – S.Korea 0-0Portugal – Ghana 3-2 (0-0)/Ronaldo 65 pen, Felix 78, Leao 80 – Ayew 73, Bukari 89/Brazil – Serbia 2-0 (0-0)/Richarlison 62, 73/Friday, Nov 25thWales – Iran 0-2 (0-0)/Cheshmi 90+9, Rezaiean 90+11/Qatar – Senegal 1-3 (0-1)/Muntari 78 – Dia 41, Diedhou 48, Dieng 84/Netherlands – Ecuador 1-1 (1-0)/Gakpo 6 – Valencia 49/England – USA 0-0Saturday, Nov 26thTunisia – Australia 0-1 (0-1)/Duke 23/Poland – Saudi Arabia 2-0 (1-0)/Zielinski 39, Lewandowski 82/France – Denmark 2-1 (0-0)/Mbappe 61, 86 – Christensen 68/Argentina – Mexico 2-0 (0-0)/Messi 64, Fernandez 87/Sunday, Nov 27thJapan – Costa Rica 0-1 (0-0)/Fuller 81/Belgium – Morocco 0-0Croatia – Canada 4-1 (2-1)/Kramaric 36, 70, Livaja 44, Majer 90+4 – Davies 2/22:00: (2.60) Spain (3.25) Germany (2.75) EMonday, Nov 28th13:00: (4.20) Cameroon (3.35) Serbia (1.95) G16:00: (2.55) S.Korea (2.95) Ghana (3.05) H19:00: (1.50) Brazil (4.10) Switzerland (7.00) G22:00: (2.10) Portugal (3.20) Uruguay (3.80) HTuesday, Nov 29th18:00: (1.30) Netherlands (5.20) Qatar (11.0) A18:00: (2.80) Ecuador (3.10) Senegal (2.65) A22:00: (6.00) Wales (3.80) England (1.60) B22:00: (3.60) Iran (3.35) USA (2.10) BWednesday, Nov 30th18:00: (10.0) Tunisia (5.00) France (1.33) D18:00: (7.00) Australia (3.60) Denmark (1.58) D22:00: (5.20) Poland (3.70) Argentina (1.70) C22:00: (5.70) Saudi Arabia (3.80) Mexico (1.63) CThursday, Dec 1st18:00: (3.80) Croatia (3.45) Belgium (2.00) F18:00: (3.45) Canada (3.15) Morocco (2.25) F22:00: (8.50) Japan (4.80) Spain (1.37) E22:00: (12.0) Costa Rica (6.50) Germany (1.23) EFriday, Dec 2nd18:00: (8.00) S.Korea (4.50) Portugal (1.42) H18:00: (4.80) Ghana (3.45) Uruguay (1.80) H22:00: (11.0) Cameroon (5.20) Brazil (1.30) G22:00: (2.60) Serbia (3.40) Switzerland (2.70) G***odds are subject to change***
