Croatia vs Canada live: World Cup score, highlights, result from 2022 Group F match as Luka Modric, Alphonso Davies both start

Three massive points are at stake when Croatia and Canada meet in a FIFA World Cup Group F match, as both nations seek a victory that would put them in a strong position to advance to the Round of 16 as one of the top two finishers in the group.

The Canadian team earned praise around the globe after playing Belgium off the park in their first World Cup match since 1986. However, they lost 1-0 and will be desperate to get something from the Croatia match, with Morocco waiting on the final matchday next Thursday.

World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia are, on paper, the stronger side, with several players who ply their trade at Europe’s top clubs. However, they looked average in their opener against Morocco, which finished 0-0.

They’ll have some extra motivation when they face Canada on Sunday courtesy of a comment from Les Rouges coach John Herdman, which Croatia didn’t take that well.

Herdman told a Canadian national TV audience that his message to his team after the Belgium loss was to go out and “eff Croatia” in the next game.

A Croatian tabloid newspaper caught wind and published a cover with a doctored image of a naked Herdman, crudely asking whether he and Canada had the guts to show it on the field. The Toronto Sun answered in kind on his behalf, and Croatia’s manager demanded respect.

The back-and-forth has only served to raise the flame under a match that shouldn’t take too long to boil over.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Croatia vs. Canada at the 2022 World Cup. Follow below for complete results from the Group F match in Qatar.

MORE: Best bets for Canada vs. Croatia

Croatia vs Canada live score

Goals:
None

Confirmed starting lineups:

Croatia (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 24. Sutalo, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic — 7. Majer, 14. Livaja, 4. Perisic

Canada (3-4-3, right to left): 18. Borjan (GK) — 2. Johnston, 5. Vitoria, 4. Miller — 11. Buchanan, 7. Eustaquio, 13. Hutchinson, 3. Adekugbe — 20. David, 17. Larin, 19. Davies

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LIVE Group F standings

Croatia vs Canada live updates, highlights from 2022 World Cup

35 mins to kickoff: Canada will be wearing their famous black kits in today’s match after receiving an exemption to divert from their regular red or white options. Les Rouges took a ton of flak this summer when it was announced that they would not be getting new kits for the World Cup like most other countries, since their deal with Nike featured a two-year kit cycle. To calm the noise, they have revived their black kits with Nike’s approval.

🇨🇦 v. 🇭🇷

11.27.2022 @FIFAWorldCup #WeCAN pic.twitter.com/sGKvtzwWmV

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 27, 2022

52 mins to kickoff: Morocco has scored a second goal late in the match, and they defeat Belgium 2-0 to go top of Group F. It’s a shocking result, as Belgium just have not looked sharp all tournament. The result means that defeat to Croatia would officially be the end of Canada’s chances at reaching the knockout stage, while a draw would also leave them lagging behind and in a difficult position.

With the Morocco win over Belgium, here’s what the #CanMNT needs to do in their last 2 games to have a chance

Simply put – just win, baby pic.twitter.com/Sslt3LwXHZ

— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) November 27, 2022

1 hr 12 mins from kickoff: The lineups are out, and Herdman has indeed given a 100th cap to Atiba Hutchinson. Sam Adekugbe is on the bench for a second straight lineup, which is not something we would have guessed before the World Cup. Cyle Larin comes into the lineup up front after coming on as a substitute against Belgium.

For Croatia, it’s just the single change necessitated by the injury to Nikola Vlasic, who is replaced by Marko Livaja. All the team news is below in the lineups section.

1 hr 24 mins from kickoff: The other Group F game is going on right now between Morocco and Belgium, with the African side recently going in front. It would it be huge for both Canada and Croatia if that match finished level, but that will require a Belgian response. It was scoreless at the break as Hakim Ziyech had a goal chalked off in the first half for offside, as Romain Saiss was deemed to have interfered with the goalkeeper on the set-piece delivery.

HIGHLIGHT: Watch in the US | Watch in Canada

It was this close for Morocco 😬 pic.twitter.com/jLufhz6Ab2

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 27, 2022

However in the 73rd minute Abdelhamid Sabiri delivered a brilliant free-kick to put Morocco up! Now Belgium must respond.

HIGHLIGHT: Watch in the US | Watch in Canada

1 hr 44 mins from kickoff: Captain Atiba Hutchinson is on 99 caps, and an appearance in either of the final two group stage games would make him the first Canada international to reach the century mark. He’s the only member of this Canada squad who was alive the last time Canada made the World Cup.

If Atiba Hutchinson plays against Croatia today, he’ll become the first to have 100 appearances with the #CanMNT.

He debuted in 2003, when the team ranked 70th in the world, and stayed through the rise from a historic low of 122nd to today.

9 goals for country too. pic.twitter.com/cqMMf0mh6k

— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) November 27, 2022

2hrs 15 mins from kickoff: We are still some way away from the lineups being announced in this one, but we know already that there is likely to be a change for Croatia. Nikola Vlasic was withdrawn at halftime against Morocco with a calf problem, and doesn’t make our projected 11 for this one as a result. You can check out all the team news below! 

2hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Croatia’s fans have certainly been getting ready for today’s action by the looks of things. These were the scenes from the Vatreni fans earlier today!

The best way to start a #FIFAWorldCup matchday? 🌅

The biggest fan banner – over 2⃣0⃣0⃣ metres long! – and a song! 🎶 #Family ❤️‍🔥 #Vatreni

🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️
⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥⬜️🟥#Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/OMRQxh1gma

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 27, 2022

3 hrs 15 mins from kickoff: Herdman called the comments he made “a learning moment” when asked before the match about the back-and-forth it triggered:

John Herdman reacts to the viral photo from a Croatian tabloid ahead of their match on Sunday 😅😂 #FIFAWorldCup

Check out the full 1-on-1 with @tsnjamesduthie HERE: https://t.co/MUvQg1MSMz pic.twitter.com/U1OwhoM4H1

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 26, 2022

3 hrs 45mins from kickoff: TSN’s Matthew Scianitti with the latest update from Qatar on the ‘eff Croatia’ controversy, and lineup questions.

Are changes coming to Canada’s starting XI tomorrow? @TSNScianitti weighs in pic.twitter.com/2K4I3hPFgl

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 26, 2022

4 hrs from kickoff: Canada supporters gearing up for this decisive match can get their juices flowing by watching this video:

Croatia vs Canada lineups, team news

Nikola Vlasic picked up a calf injury during the Morocco match and sits as expected with Marko Livaja the surprise selection to replace him. The 29-year-old forward plays domestically for Hadjuk Split in Croatia.

Other changes were reportedly being entertained are at the back, but ultimately no other alterations were made as Dejan Lovren and Andrej Kramaric retaining their positions in the starting lineup.

Croatia confirmed lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic — 14. Livaja, 9. Kramaric, 4. Perisic.

Ready? This is #Croatia starting lineup! 🥁 #CROCAN #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #Family ❤️‍🔥 #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/O8uzt9O5a4

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 27, 2022

Canada manager John Herdman has said all 26 players are available for selection, but the lineup speculation has revolved around whether some of the players could use a break with three matches played in the span of eight days.

Herdman makes one change from the close call against Belgium, as Cyle Larin comes in to replace Junior Hoilett. Stars Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David retain their places, while captain Atiba Hutchinson becomes the first Canadian international ever to reach 100 caps.

Davies and Alistair Johnston, two of Canada’s most important players, are one yellow card away from being suspended for the final game, but Herdman said he’s not thinking about cards when naming the lineup.

Canada confirmed lineup (3-5-2, right to left): 18. Borjan (GK) — 2. Johnston, 5. Vitoria, 4. Miller — 22. Laryea, 7. Eustaquio, 11. Buchanan, 13. Hutchinson, 19. Davies — 20. David, 17. Larin.

YOUR #CANMNT STARTING XI! 🇨🇦#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/A9O3EbrWRh

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 27, 2022

Croatia vs Canada live stream, TV channel

This was already set to be a barnburner based on the fact that both teams are desperate for three points. Add the fact that Canada coach John Herdman stated on national TV that he told his team they’ve got to go out and “eff Croatia,” and that has the potential to inject another level of animosity to the encounter.

The upstart Canadians lost a heartbreaker against Belgium, prompting the emotional outburst by Herdman. Although Belgium survived the Canadian scare, World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia could be an upset candidate given how poor they looked in their scoreless draw against Morocco.

Here’s how you can watch all the action in the major global territories.

Watch the match on fuboTV in USA: