There was no handshake between the managers as they led their squads off the pitch, with the fallout from Eff-Gate still raging. Some took a dim view of John Herdman’s prediction to his players that “we’re going to go and ‘eff’ Croatia”, including Andrej Kramaric who ended up scoring twice against Canada to send them home.
“In the end Croatia demonstrated who effed who….” said Kramaric. “I have to say thanks to the head coach of Canada for the motivation. He could have chosen better words to express himself.”
It was slightly oversensitive to take such offence at the lowest ranked country in Group F, although Croatia have thrived when there is a bit of needle. Four years ago when they reached the final, they felt Football’s Coming Home sung by England fans was disrespectful.
This time it has been the comments of Herdman, whose infamous post-match interview was more naïve than malicious. The result was Croatia players determined to humble Herdman’s players and they did just that despite Alphonso Davies’ scoring after 67 seconds.
With four minutes left, there was the sight of Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric trying to block a quick free-kick and then having a shoving match with Kamal Miller. It is almost like they need the anger to produce such masterful passing performances like at Khalifa International Stadium.
Herdman was asked if he regretted making his comments. “Not in the first 20 minutes,” was the answer. Davies had scored their first World Cup goal with a thumping header but failed to lay a glove on Croatia when Zlatko Dalic’s team got into their stride.
Kramaric, the former Leicester City striker who is now at Hoffenheim, levelled from a tight angle. Marko Livaja finished off a slick move before half-time, then Kramaric got his second by killing a powerful Ivan Perisic cross and finishing into the bottom corner. Lovro Majer added a fourth in stoppage-time just before the head coaches left without shaking hands.
“I did not see the other head coach after the match,” said Dalic. “Whether I lose or win, I congratulate the winner. He was not there and that’s his way of doing things. He’s obviously mad. He is a good coach, a high quality professional but it will take time for him to learn some things.”
Herdman, while saying he had no regrets over his comments, added: “I could have been a bit more composed when I came out of the huddle. I’ll take that on the chin. But we showed in the first 25 minutes that Canada can comepte with the best in the world.
“They might be celebrating now but it was not an easy night and there was pride in our performance. There is a respect there for Croatia. We’re here to push as far as we can and to change the mentality.”
Croatia, fuelled by his comments, cut through Canada with Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic their driving force. As Herdman attempted to man-mark Modric, it meant Kovacic was running the game from his position just in front of the backline. He blocked Canada’s way to goal and carried his team forward in possession.
In Kramaric they also have a forward who will benefit from the service of Perisic’s crosses as well as the playmakers Croatia have sitting deep. “It is a special moment for me and my family and primarily it is an important victory for us but nothing is over yet and we have to be prepared for Belgium,” said Kramaric, who was loaned out when Leicester won the title and he was at the club.
They still need a point against Belgium but on the evidence of Sunday’s matches, Croatia are a team on an upward trajectory while their opponents in the final group game are going in the other direction.