Croatia and Canada will both go in search of their first win and first goals in World Cup 2022 Group F during Sunday's battle at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The Chequered Ones were held to a goalless draw by Morocco in their opening fixture, while the Canucks succumbed to the Red Devils of Belgium in a 1-0 loss.

Match preview

© Reuters

Despite an eye-catching Nations League campaign which propelled them to a spot in the four-team finals, not many had Croatia down as contenders to match or even better their runners-up finish at the 2018 World Cup, and their feelings were justified on the opening day.

Croatia were arguably fortunate to come away from their showdown with Morocco with a point to their name, having just five shots in the entire game and relying on the staunch defensive work of Dejan Lovren at the other end of the field to preserve their clean sheet.

Zlatko Dalic has admitted that his side "lacked courage" in their opening stalemate with the African nation, but that point is good enough to see them occupy second place in the Group F standings after one game, edging out third-placed Morocco on fair play points for the time being.

Shaking hands on a point with Morocco did at least stretch the Chequered Ones' unbeaten streak in all tournaments to seven matches, while they have only suffered one defeat in their last 17 since Euro 2020, highlighting their stellar defensive acumen that has seen them concede just twice in their last 540 minutes of football.

However, Croatia have previous when it comes to back-to-back games without scoring at the World Cup - failing to fire in either of their opening group games at the 2006 tournament - and Belgium were forced to use route one tactics to break down upcoming opponents Canada.

© Reuters

The chance to step up and become a World Cup hero for his nation passed Alphonso Davies by on matchday one, as the Bayern Munich man saw a 10th-minute penalty kept out by Thibaut Courtois before Canada launched wave after wave of pressure on Roberto Martinez's side.

Belgium held firm, though, and a long ball over the top for Michy Batshuayi to chase ended with the Fenerbahce attacker finding the back of the net on the stroke of half time, and the valiant efforts of John Herdman's men ultimately counted for nought.

Nevertheless, the Canucks could take plenty of encouragement from their performance against the golden generation of Belgium, although that result already leaves them bottom of the standings in Group F, and their hopes of a last-16 berth will be dashed if results do not go their way this week.

Thirty-six years on from making their only previous appearance at the World Cup, Canada remain winless and goalless at the tournament after four matches - already the most of any nation in history - and Herdman is now out to ensure that his side do not match El Salvador's record of six straight losses.

Posting just three shots on target from their 22 attempts against Belgium shows the area that Herdman must address, but the Canada boss has controversially warned that his crop will "F Croatia" as they prepare to meet the 2018 runners-up for the very first time.

Team News

© Reuters

Croatia were handed a scare when attacker Nikola Vlasic had to come off at half time in the draw with Morocco due to discomfort, but the West Ham United man has not sustained a serious issue and has been put through his paces in training.

Whether Vlasic is ready to start again is another question entirely, so Marko Livaja is reportedly primed to link up with Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic in the final third, while Domagoj Vida is a doubt due to muscular discomfort.

Dalic has no other injury concerns to work around for Sunday's game, where Rennes midfielder Lovro Majer's attacking impetus will most likely be required from the bench again, with Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic seemingly nailed-on to start again.

Meanwhile, Canada star man Davies battled back from his hamstring injury to make the starting lineup in their opening loss to Belgium, where Milan Borjan and Stephen Eustaquio were also given the green light to feature despite previous concerns over their fitnesses.

Herdman has no fresh worries to report from matchday one and should keep any alterations to a minimum given the manner of his side's performance, but Cyle Larin should feel in with a strong chance of coming into the attack in place of Junior Hoilett.

Atiba Hutchinson is set to win his 100th cap for Canada this weekend - becoming the first ever player from his nation to do so - but if his 39-year-old legs are in need of a break, Ismael Kone and Jonathan Osorio are on hand to deputise.

Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic

Canada possible starting lineup:
Borjan; Laryea, Johnston, Vitoria, Miller, Davies; Buchanan, Hutchinson, Eustaquio, Larin; David

We say: Croatia 1-0 Canada

Canada certainly demonstrated a greater sense of attacking desire than Croatia did on matchday one, but any similar sort of profligacy will prove fatal versus a steadfast Chequered Ones' defence.

Any neutral fans hoping for a glut of goals should look elsewhere, and another goalless draw is not beyond the realm of possibility here, but Dalic's side can stand firm at the back and win the midfield battle to edge a close contest.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Ben Knapton

Previews by email