Mateo Kovacic was at his finest for Croatia of their 4-1 victory over Canada on Sunday, a end result which leaves the Vatreni in pole place to qualify from Group F.
Croatia needed to come from behind after conceding in simply the second minute, however from the second they equalised, with Kovacic concerned within the aim, there solely ever appeared like being one winner. They have been 2-1 up by half-time and sealed a powerful win with two extra targets within the second interval.
Kovacic, deployed in Croatia’s midfield three as traditional, gained his 86th cap on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium in Al Rayyan, and he was changed in the identical minute having dominated the midfield battle with a virtuoso all-round show.
Canada had deserved a aim of their opening sport towards Belgium, however after firing blanks in that one they solely needed to wait 68 seconds of this contest to search out the web. Alphonso Davies headed in an inviting cross from Tajon Buchanan to attain his nation’s first aim at a World Cup, and the quickest of this match.
Halfway by the primary half Kovacic took issues into his personal arms with a trademark dribble from deep. He slipped in Marko Livaja who couldn’t generate sufficient energy along with his shot, Croatia’s first of the sport. Their second from Andrej Kramaric shortly afterwards discovered the web however the offside flag denied Croatia an equaliser.
On 34 minutes, Kovacic was once more at his artistic finest, amassing a go from Luka Modric and releasing Livaja, whose shot was nicely saved. Nonetheless, Croatia’s strain did repay virtually instantly.
Kovacic was once more concerned, pivoting to create area to play an incisive ahead go to Ivan Perisic, who in flip discovered Kramaric. The previous Leicester ahead, now at Hoffenheim, angled his left-footed end into the underside nook.
Croatia accomplished the turnaround a few minutes earlier than half-time, Livaja ending nicely from the sting of the field because the 2018 runners-up showcased the most effective of their passing and urgent.
Kovacic had been their finest participant, finishing all 30 passes he performed, establishing possibilities and successful 4 tackles, greater than anybody else on the pitch.
Kramaric had a great opportunity to increase Croatia’s lead 10 minutes into the second half on the finish of one other flowing transfer, however his shot was nicely saved by Milan Borjan within the Canada aim. Nonetheless, he would get his second aim and Croatia’s third halfway by the second interval after slicing inside and ending confidently.
Kovacic initiated one other Croatian counter and unselfishly arrange an incredible likelihood for Marcelo Brozovic, whose shot was saved by the legs of Borjan.
Kovacic was changed with 4 minutes left, so watched Lovro Majer’s aim in stoppage time from the bench, with Croatia’s consideration now turning in direction of their ultimate group sport towards Belgium on Thursday. Keep away from defeat in that one and they are going to be one of many groups within the final 16; higher Morocco’s end result and they’re going to end high.
