It was fun while it lasted

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This article was published 27/11/2022 (1225 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For 34 minutes, you just about believed it would happen. For 34 minutes, we allowed ourselves to dream.

That’s what sport, at its best, can do. No matter what else is going on in life, in the world, it can pick you up, unmoor you from the present and sail you to heights you’d given up reaching. It can even connect you with other dreamers, fellow travellers along that blissful plain where hope is air, an irresistible inflation.

Though inevitably, something comes along with a pin to prick, that metaphorical bucket of icy water, and sends you hurtling back to earth as the air escapes, that wakes us harshly. It’s a hard landing, but wow—it was great to be up there.

On Sunday, at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, it was Croatia’s pin stuck decisively into Canada’s World Cup dream. But it took them slightly more than half an hour to find it, a bit of time in which supporters of this country’s men’s national team floated high on belief, released to altitude by Alphonso Davies’ goal after barely a minute.

And so, for 34 more, we not only dared to hope but also examined the Group F table, performed all manner of mathematical calculations and envisioned the ideal scoreline against Morocco on Thursday that would see us through to the round of 16. The Atlas Lions had beaten Belgium mere hours before, after all. So surely we could take at least a point from Croatia.

That landing, though. Fast and jolting, a double-bounce of Andrej Kramaric and Marko Livaja. By the interval you felt the game had got away, and when Kramaric completed his brace in the 70th minute it was well and truly gone. Lovro Majer’s stoppage-time tally was an almost unnecessary heel to the balloon.

Canada’s World Cup, over. The dream, dashed. Hope, gone. But the memories? Everything we experienced together these last 17 months?

We get to keep those.

You see, that’s another thing sport can do. It can allow you to dream—again.

The Numbers

Canada actually out-possessed Croatia and passed the ball at identical efficiency. But that’s where the flattering stats tend to stop. The 2018 finalists put 10 shots on target to Canada’s 2 and earned an xG advantage of 2.94-0.56. Vatreni midfielder Mateo Kovacic was particularly impressive. The Chelsea man completed 93% of his passes and made 5 tackles.

Report Cards

Alphonso Davies: He took his goal well, but it was his only shot on target. While occasionally dazzling on the dribble he too often floated around the pitch as if without a tactical assignment. B-

Johnathan David & Cyle Larin: Canada’s strikers let them down against Belgium and Croatia. Both managed just a single shot on goal over the two matches and they were subbed off on Sunday. They’re certainly not to blame for the early World Cup exit, but they didn’t do anything to help, either. F

Atiba Hutchinson: The 39-year-old played 73 minutes against Croatia following a 58-minute start against Belgium. He still hasn’t finished a match this season after returning from injury, and he looked understandably fatigued on Sunday. D

Steven Vitoria: The 35-year-old Chaves defender is typically a steadying influence along the Canada backline. But he was caught well out of possession for the Belgium goal and, with centre-back partner Kamal Miller struggling, just didn’t have the mobility to contain the Croatia attack. C-

Takeaways

Where were you when Davies scored?! Canada now have a goal at a men’s World Cup, and it’s fitting that their poster boy was the player to get it. That said, it was frustrating to watch his movement at times, and that speaks to a larger problem.

Canada’s approach to, and execution of, Sunday’s match was glaringly naïve. After settling, Croatia easily dominated the centre of the park, exposing Hutchinson’s lack of pace and Steven Eustaquio’s niggling injury. They also engaged their full-backs, who, in combination with Kramaric and Ivan Perisic, were able to overrun their opponents out wide.

By attacking Canada’s flank—previously a major position of strength—they were able to stretch an already overworked midfield. Manager John Herdman should have adjusted sooner, perhaps withdrawing Hutchinson and Larin after the first Kramaric goal and deploying Jonathan Osorio and Samuel Piette, whom the game seemed to cry out for.

Starting two strikers was never advisable, and Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic had no difficulty keeping at least one of them isolated after making his own tactical adjustments following Davies’ opener.

What’s next

Canada face Morocco on Thursday (9:00 a.m., TSN), and while Herdman will be tempted to give some squad players a run-out both Belgium and Croatia will be expecting him to field a strong XI. All three of Canada’s Group F rivals could still top the bracket—or be eliminated. Following the World Cup, Canada will resume CONCACAF Nations League play with March games against Curacao and Honduras.

World Cup Notebook

Bettors beware

Costa Rica were not supposed to beat Japan on Sunday. Not after Spain thumped Los Ticos 7-0 last week while the Blue Samurai put Germany to the sword.

But, as we should well be aware by now, this is a World Cup where anything can happen—where Saudi Arabia can defeat Argentina, Australia can beat Tunisia and Iran can shake off a 6-2 drubbing by England in time to secure an emotional victory over Wales.

Such seemingly bizarre results aren’t often the purview of the knockout stages, but if there was ever to be an unexpected final, or even semi-final round, it would surely be here.

Serbia investigation

FIFA’s history of double standards could fill a library, but after being caught out with a rather egregious one in Qatar they’re suddenly rushing—or, more accurately, fumbling—to salvage what credibility they have left.

Three days after security officials confiscated pre-1979 Iranian flags from that country’s supporters, at least one banner depicting the colours of the Serbian flag superimposed on a map of Kosovo, including the phrase “No Surrender,” was seen inside Lusail Iconic Stadium during the Brazil match. Another was photographed in Serbia’s dressing room.

Hajrulla Ceku, Kosovo’s sports minister, rightfully referred to the banner as spreading “hateful, xenophobic and genocidal messages,” and on Saturday FIFA confirmed it had opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association of Serbia.

Now, we’ll see if anything comes of the investigation.

Group D feeling (Les) Bleus

With their 2-1 defeat of Denmark on Saturday, France became the first team to secure a spot in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup.

Being the holders, they’ve probably not surprised themselves. But Les Bleus have a pattern of crashing out early following successful tournaments, and that history, combined with injuries to Presnel Kimpembe, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema, looked to be conspiring against them this autumn. Then there was their record. Going into their Group D opener against Australia, they’d won just one of their last six matches.

Now, with convincing victories over the Socceroos and Denmark, France can afford to rest key players against Tunisia on Wednesday. Aurelien Tchouameni—the best midfielder in Qatar this month—could perhaps do with a breather, and the suddenly-inspired Ousmane Dembele might value some respite after running his socks off and being subbed in both games.

Brazil and Argentina might have entered the World Cup as credible favourites, and even the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark were sexier picks at the outset. But France are playing the best football, and teams that peak at the right time tend to do well at these things.

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