Classy Croatia send Canada home as Kramaric bags brace
19:07 CET: That's the third match down then, and we have a mouthwatering clash with Germany and Spain coming up in just under an hour. You guessed it, we are covering that too, just as we are every single match at this World Cup.
Check out our match report from this game in the meantime, and we will see you in a bit!
19:01 CET: It just wasn't to be for poor old Canada. They gave it their all and put in such a good performance, but they just didn't have what it takes to compete with a Croatia side with such a classy midfield. Modric, Brozovic and in particular Kovacic, were superb, and they easily played through a Canadian team that were open and perhaps a touch naive at times. Regardless, they should be proud. They scored a cracking goal thanks to their star man Davies and there are definitely good signs for them. However, they are now heading home. Croatia on the other hand, showed their quality and experience when they really needed to. They were a few levels above their opponents. They scored some good goals, and will be pleased with the clinical finishes from their forwards, especially Kramaric. They now look to Belgium, knowing a win will secure their place in the round of 16. If Belgium play the way they did today, then Croatia will strongly fancy their chances.
Second Half
17:56 CET: And that is that. The final whistle is blown. Croatia were just way, way too good for Canada, who are sent home. More in a bit.
17:54 CET: And Croatia end this contest once and for all. Miller makes a horrible mistake, missing the ball completely on the halfway line. Orsic is left one on one with the keeper but opts to square it to the unmarked Majer, who thumps home. Done and dusted.
17:53 CET: Hoilett has a late shot fizz past the post. Canada are heading out with just three minutes of added time left.
17:52 CET: Let's do some quick maths as this match peters out. So Belgium must win their final game against Croatia to qualify. They could qualify with a draw, but Morocco would have to lose by about three or four goals, which isn't likely. Should Croatia lose, then Morocco only need a draw to qualify alongside Belgium. Interestingly, Croatia and Morocco's goal difference is the same, so if Croatia lose their final game by two goals, and Morocco lose theirs by one, Morocco would qualify ahead of them. Fun.
18:47 CET: Perisic, Modric, and the best player on the pitch today Kovacic are all taken off. Mislav Orsic, Mario Pasalic and Lovro Majer come on.
18:38 CET: Nearly four for Croatia. Perisic smashes the ball straight at the keeper from a slight angle, the ball falls to Kovacic, who is unselfish and elects to pass to Brozovic despite being right in front of goal. But Brozovic's shot is saved again by Borjan.
18:33 CET: A few subs after that goal, with the man of the moment Kramaric coming off. He will be delighted with his work, and Croatia will be hoping that he continues to solve their number nine woes. Nikola Vlasic comes on for him.
Canada take off David and Hutchinson, Lucas Cavallini and Sam Adekugbe come on.
18:30 CET: SUPERB FINISH FROM KRAMARIC, AND IT IS 3-1. Perisic's ball comes to Kramaric on the right side of the penalty area, he brings it back onto his left foot, and calmly places it into the corner. Canada are facing down the barrel of elimination.
18:25 CET: Croatia's midfield has been superb in the last half an hour, and Kovacic has stood out above the rest. Check out his stats up until this point just below.
18:21 CET: Canada are pushing more players forward right now. They're desperately searching for a goal.
They respond to Croatia's change by bringing on Junior Hoilett. Laryea off.
18:20 CET: Croatia are making a change. Bruno Petkovic is on for the goalscorer of the second goal, Livaja.
18:16 CET: A shot from David from outside the area is tipped over by Livakovic. Might not have been dipping in, but he wasn't to be sure of that.
18:14 CET: Massive save. Modric puts a ball in for Kramaric, who is waiting free in the penalty area. However, his first time shot is saved by Borjan. He really should be scoring that, but great save nonetheless.
18:10 CET: So with those half time changes, Davies has gone up front for Canada. Looks like they've gone to a three at the back too.
18:09 CET: OH, SO CLOSE! What an intro that would have been for Osorio. His long range shot is inches wide of the post. What an effort.
18:05 CET: The second half kicks off. Canada make two subs. Larin and Eustaquio are replaced by Jonathon Osorio and Ismael Kone - who made his first professional appearance nine months ago. Canada will know that they need a goal, otherwise they are out of the World Cup.
Half Time
17:57 CET: Here are the half time stats for you
17:52 CET: Best first half of football at this World Cup? Canada started the game supremely well, and Croatia were struggling against the pace of their wingers. But at some point through that half, Croatia upped their level, and found ways through a Canadian defence that has been open and questionable at times. Kovacic has been superb and at the heart of everything good for them. Canada need to regroup and try to be more organised in the second half.
As seen by the graph below, Canada started brightly, but Croatia gradually grabbed a hold of the game.
First Half
17:51 CET: That's half time. Great 45 minutes of football.
17:49 CET: Canada just about hanging on here. The technical quality of the Croatian midfield is too much for them to handle.
17:46 CET: Well, well. Croatia have switched gears and are all over Canada now. They are swamping them with their superior quality.
17:43 CET: CROATIA HAVE SCORED AGAIN, AND TURNED THIS GAME ON ITS HEAD! LIVAJA RECEIVES THE BALL ON THE EDGE OF THE PENALTY AREA, AND HE SMASHES IT HOME BRILLIANTLY. EMPHATIC FINISH.
17:36 CET: AND THE PRESSURE PAYS OFF. KRAMARIC IS PLAYED IN BY A GREAT REVERSE PASS FROM PERISIC, AND HE SLIDES IT INTO THE BOTTOM CORNER.
The goal did feel like it was coming a little bit with Croatia upping the ante.
17:35 CET: Croatia applying pressure here. Livaja finds space inside the box from a pass from the impressive Kovacic, but his shot is too close to the keeper.
17:26 CET: KRAMARIC PUTS IT IN... NO, no. He's offside. Yep, the replays confirm he was. Moving on.
17:24 CET: He's just really good isn't he, Alphonso Davies? Just casually nutmegging Brozovic. The modern day full back. Sensational player.
17:22 CET: Good run from Kovacic. He bursts through the Canada midfield, but his pass to Livaja is slightly overhit. First sign of real quality from Croatia.
17:17 CET: Buchanan is such a livewire for Canada. He and Davies on the wings are causing Croatia a lot of issues on the counter. The World Cup runners up are struggling to make a mark on the game so far.
17:05 CET: Phew, in a World Cup full of half time 0-0's, boy is it good to see an early goal.
17:01 CET: ALPHONSO DAVIES, OH MY, WHAT A START FOR CANADA! THE FASTEST GOAL OF THIS WORLD CUP SO FAR! I PROMISED AN EXCITING MATCH, AND AN EXCITING MATCH IS WHAT YOU WILL GET. DAVIES HEADS THE BALL EMPHATICALLY HOME FROM BUCHANAN'S CROSS! POOR DEFENDING FROM CROATIA TO LET THE CROSS COME IN, BUT IT WAS A BULLET HEADER.
17:00 CET: Croatia kick things off here.
Team News
Both sides make one change to their teams. Marko Livaja gets a start for the Croatians, with Nikola Vlasic on the bench after suffering an injury against Morocco. Junior Hoilett is on the bench for Canada, with Cyle Larin taking his place.
Croatia - Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Brozovic, Modric, Kovacic; Livaja, Kramaric, Perisic.
Canada - Borjan; Johnston, Vitoria, Miller; Laryea, Hutchinson, Eustaquio, Davies; Buchanan, Larin, David.
Introduction
Welcome to our text coverage of the third match of the day, and you know what, I'm really looking forward to this one. Canada were so bright and bold against Belgium, and were really unfortunate not to come away with something from that game. But they definitely gained a lot of supporters for their positive and attacking approach. Croatia aren't the force that they once were, but it's always good to watch Luka Modric.
I'm hoping this encounter gets a bit spicy too. Zlatko Dalić didn't take kindly to John Herdman's 'we are going to eff Croatia' remarks, and the Canada manager has admitted that this could be 'a hell of a game'. We haven't been treated to too many exciting matches this World Cup, so here's to hoping.
If you can't watch the game, listen to our audio coverage here. We will also be providing you with stats and graphics, via StatsPerform.
