Canada unable to grab points at World Cup, Morocco and Croatia advance

 

The Canadian men's national soccer team ended their run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup without a single point.

With a 2-1 loss to Morocco, the Canadians failed to pick up their first World Cup point in two participations. Canada can find solace in having broken the ice with the country's first goal at a men's World Cup, courtesy of Alphonso Davies in the second minute of a 4-1 loss to Croatia.

With two wins and one draw, Morocco topped Group F. Joining them in the knockout round is Croatia, who bounced back from a loss in the opening match with one win and one draw.

Morocco had a 2-0 advantage by the 23rd minute with goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri which had goalkeeper Milan Borjan and centre back Steven Vitoria bite the dust.

Canada cut their deficit to one before the end of the first half when Nayef Aguerd redirected Sam Adekugbe's cross in the back of his net. With the own goal, Morocco ruined their chance of becoming the first African nation not to concede a group stage goal in World Cup history.

Captain Atiba Hutchinson was millimetres away from tying the game in the 71st minute. The 39-year-old's header hit the crossbar but didn't fully cross the goal line on the way down.

After a 2-0 loss to Morocco in their opening match, Croatia bounced back and made their way to the knockout round.

The 2018 World Cup finalist routed Canada 4-1 after going down by one with an early Canadian goal. The Croatians needed at least a draw against Belgium to advance and the scoreless result was enough for the men in checkers to send World number two Belgium packing early with their hearts broken.