Kramaric BITES BACK at Canada coach’s comments 🔥 Was it fuel for Croatia’s win? | ESPN FC

The ESPN FC Daily team react to the pre-match comments from Canada coach John Herdman, who claimed his players were going to "f--- Croatia,” and the response after the match from Andrej Kramaric, who scored twice in a 4-1 win to send Canada out of the World Cup.
Subscribe to ESPN UK: bit.ly/1oGUzVA
Follow ESPN UK across multiple platforms:
/ espnuk
/ espnuk
www.espn.co.uk/

[@JAEWST]

Croatia is a world cup finalist. Croatia is captained by a Balon d'or winner. Croatia consistently produces world class talent..... Canada calls football soccer

[@djbryson]

Very condescending remark. We call it soccer to differentiate from American football.

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

@@djbryson Football is one thing, american rugby is another.

[@dalibor8397]

@@djbryson Go play Curling buddy Along with your soccer team and their coach...

[@djbryson]

@@dalibor8397 ok buddy

[@republikadugave420]

@@unwokeneuropean3590 you mean egghand

[@kalashnikovz65]

I was cheering for Croatia against Canada and I will support them against Belgium as well. Morocco is with you Croatia, let's go! 🇲🇦❤️🇭🇷

[@andrejmiskatovic8085]

Croatia and Morocco passing the group together 😉

[@Moonchilddbk]

Z and Croatia always together

[@sodiusbicarbonius]

thanks muslim bro

[@lizingash]

Zlatko Dalic is a real gentleman, and realy calm and great person..his response to this vulgar person John Herdman is everything. Respect mr.Dalic

[@josipmatic2315]

Croatians respond to this vulgar coloniialist person because he was advised by his golly borjan ...to say these hate comments against Croatia ...but Croaita fucked miserable JOHN HERDMAN AND HIS GOLLY MILAN BORJAN ...BOTH OF THEM HAD A DISRESPECTIFULL STATMENT AGAINST CROATIA...

[@briannao9251]

Canada coach: “f*** Croatia” Croatia: “And we took that personally!”

[@Gunnerzfan79]

Herdman's comments on Croatian will go down as one of the stupidest, idiotic, tone deaf, ridiculously ludicrous moments in Canadian sports history. This from a Canadian. I was as pumped as any of my country people for the game, but I was also realistic that it was always going to be difficult against top European opposition. Instead of putting all the pressure on Croatia as an elite football nation, he puts it on our players, fans and country with his asinine comments. Ruined his reputation for me.

[@mariomrakovic1826]

Thank you!

[@colocolo49]

it's not even about the team rankings, nobody should ever disrespect the opponent like this, be if the 1st or 100th on the fifa list. just a little man craving for attention. he didn't care about the canada team, he wanted to make it all about himself.

[@iPhoneScreenFix1]

As a Croatian Canadian I cannot believe that he would say those words. What he has thinking and who is Canada Brazil Spain France lol Croatia is power house thy soccer is Canadian Hockey. Good luck Croatia we have best fans in the world. Idemo vatreni.

[@anteandrovic]

It wasnt that bad... it wasnt even very offensive ... or very motivating - like Perisic said, iil do my talking on the pitch. Just the media making HYPE!. cheers form sunny Zadar !

[@republikadugave420]

I mean their keeper said he was from knin in greater serbia...that also kinda stupid...

[@HeyItsEddy]

I know a few Croatians and as soon Herdman said the those comments I knew Canada were screwed. Croatia is a very proud nation and wouldn’t take that comment lightly. Hopefully, the Canadian team can learn from this and come back stronger in 2026.

[@foreverhungry7777]

As soon as he said that I knew we were scoring 3-4 goals next game, lol. Not because of "ego" pride, but respect. Select British individuals like Herdman are consistently disrespectful to their opponents, last world cup I even saw a British newspaper print an article talking about how unattractive our players were. We are trained to take pride in ourselves and be respectful of who we compete against, and like in 2018, Brits like Herdman needed a reminder. Respect your opponent. May Canada thrive in the future under a better coach.

[@privlakahr9903]

once you are under-influence of someone,like silly herdman, from goalkeeper, so you become chetniks (children-executor)

[@riobabic8960]

My father was born in Croatia, my mother in England and me in Canada ! I stopped supporting England 4 years ago totally because of all the woke bs. Canada started pissing me of 2 years ago kneeling during the anthem. Croatia is my moral compass. I am still totally supportive of Croatia ! Fight hard but be respectful and a good sportsman !

[@helenakolar]

I hope this was a teaching moment, enough of the profanity. Why? Because we are a small country, and Canada is sooo powerful. Go Hrvatska Go

[@secretagent86]

@@riobabic8960 i am happily a Canadian but feel the coach should be dismissed. It is not how we should be represented EVER. glad Croatia beat us

[@tf3629]

Croatia were motivated before Herdman's comment, but you cannot use that language on camera. Also, he did not shake Croatia's coach's hand after the game. As Croatia's coach said "he has a lot to learn."

[@karlanal1]

well he is british

[@TH-yx4io]

@@karlanal1 that says it all...arrogance is in their blood

[@morning_staar]

good, who wants to shake hands with british anyway.

[@nikolap6]

Herdman didn t even shaked hands with Dalic afer game. What a small man

[@kammykaza]

People just don't learn not to disrespect Croatia. You see maybe that as a trash talk before game...in Europe and professional football there is no trash talk

[@Niki91-HR]

I guess there is, just behind closed doors in the locker rooms.

[@kammykaza]

@@Niki91-HR yeah in dressing room,for sure...but not on camera. This is not boxing or hockey. Next time he will be smart

[@nickchemist723]

Inexperience from Canadian players and you see the inexperience of their coach as well . Instead of saying “ what I say to my players in the huddle is between me and my players . Next question .” He decided to stoke the fire . This was a European powerhouse you’re coming up against who have been on this stage many times before. Last thing you need to be doing is giving them more motivation .

[@foreverhungry7777]

The British coach was somehow empowered by losing to Belgium. So he thinks trash-talking the silver medalists from the year prior would work? For a nation with barely 4 million people to win 2 medals in 20 years that is phenomenal. We work hard, we work for each other. We have a unity that is required to be champions. Ego does not win the cup.

[@buddyreview5017]

Kramaric bit back with his actions. His post-game words were just aftershock.

[@bosanskislavonac]

Croatia simply possess much more quality.

[@joaosousa2428]

Canada's coach is now the biggest clown of the WC.

[@luisfigointer]

Canada’s coach is actually an Englishman, enough said.

[@buzzerbeaterbuzzerbeater9001]

100% !!!

[@outlander234]

I am a Croatian and lets be honest here... This is the world we live in, dramatic headlines are what journalists and fans in the end enjoy. The coach saying that wasnt disrespectful, it was just plain stupid. Why add fuel to someones fire? Especially if that someone is better than you... We all watched The Last dance documentary where Jordan would make up stories to get himself motivated... Again just plain dumb move.

[@foreverhungry7777]

Select Brits are consistently disrespectful towards us. I saw how many negated us, even when we toppled Argentina at FIFA 2018. Not to mention how so many of the British tourists are disrespectful to our people and culture. I saw video footage of one British guy taking his p***s out to Croatian girls in their own city! Not all Brits are like this, but the disrespect is consistent enough they need to be taught a lesson.

[@Why-are-you-gae]

Absolutely he should say this to players before the game not the public

[@jaytse2269]

Absolutely agree, blown way out of proportion.

[@kimcage7768]

Thank you to the canadian manager from Croatia!

[@tomislavoreskovic3158]

Haha exactly. Canadian Croats loved his idiocy

[@bobtan6744]

The problem was that Herdman was not giving a pep talk to his players. He was doing press, knowing full well the TV audiences would be listening

[@souhityasen4785]

Exactly this. Shaka Hislop: "if I were a Canadian player, I'd want to hear exactly that". Bruv sure, but inside the dressing room!

[@edweb2006]

Than he doesn't congratulate Croatia on the win.... little laud mouse.

[@Kingmomoe]

As a Canadian, I did NOT want to hear my coach say that! It shows a lack of respect for the moment and the opponents! This is what you tell the team in the change room yes but to the media you show respect to your team, country and your opponents knowing that they’re the runners up for the last World Cup! He egged everyone on and gave his team and the fans false hope, thinking that they’re better than everyone else in the world then falling hard at the first sight of trouble from Croatia!

[@foreverhungry7777]

As a Croat who lived in Canada for 3 years, I knew that wasn't a Canadian saying that but a Brit. Some of them like Herdman are consistently disrespectful to our people and players. He deserved to be humbled. I wish Canada well in the future under a better coach.

[@mariomrakovic1826]

He is not "your" coach. He is simply an import from england.

[@privlakahr9903]

Momoe: no 1 from Canada side, condemn this ANIMAL,until 4-1. that is question.

[@privlakahr9903]

@@mariomrakovic1826 leave England where is belong to.Canada is aware of this stupidity,LONG LIVE CROATIA ZIVILA DOMOVINA-VJECNO.

[@sodiusbicarbonius]

right words bro

[@cryptobreak7783]

Come on, if anyone thinks Croatia needs that to motivate them to beat Canada they're smoking something funny. Two different soccer/football worlds. Croatia is a top nation. Anyhow, great tournament Canada. First goal out of the way, now you need to get that first win.

[@anteandrovic]

well said & i hope they get it against Morocco !

[@ani4226]

Perisic is class

[@johnnybgood1169]

I was impressed with Herdmann throughout WC Qualifying but his comment was just stupid. Why give a very good team even more motivation to beat you?

[@user-ve5ln5le9y]

He gave a pep talk to his players. The media wanted to know what he said in the huddle. So he told them what he said to HIS PLAYERS. Why is everyone’s panties in a twist? There was nothing stupid about it.

[@samueldejulio]

@@user-ve5ln5le9y he doesn’t have to tell the press what he told his players. Why give the other team extra ammunition? The manager should know better.

[@97MrBlues]

@@user-ve5ln5le9y Its literally on tape you muppet 😂

[@lukalegcevic1415]

🇭🇷❤️

[@edweb2006]

Imagine Canada played against Israel and said this. It would end up in European and US high courts.

[@kresimirkrupnik3209]

Ha ha...I would least expect this kind of answer from Kramarić (by the way, he graduated from the computer science and mathematics high school - the most difficult high school in Croatia - which is rare for football players).

[@bernardokrolo2275]

Al je Kramaric isa u MIOC?nisan to zna

[@kresimirkrupnik3209]

@@bernardokrolo2275 da ( ima i tu na YT "Kod Krame u Hoffenheimu - R.Knjaz")

[@bernardokrolo2275]

@@kresimirkrupnik3209 hvala...neka ima i jedan iz MIOCa u repki...

[@vaevictis_]

On top of it all, the coach refused to shake hands in the end. Canada, again, showing the world their true colors of being a***oles when all they do is shout at the rooftops about how “nice” and “neighborly” they are. Actions always speak louder

[@omairsh8]

The coach is British, but yes the “nice” nonsense is definitely surface level. Canadians love virtue signalling and feeling morally superior to others, but there’s not much substance

[@foreverhungry7777]

He is British. And he got humbled, as did his Motherland at FIFA 2018, lol.

[@vaevictis_]

@@foreverhungry7777 well he represents Canada well and they are happy with him.

[@vaevictis_]

@@cartermullenix7794 yes, let me research the relevant and mighty Canadian team

[@krisxchirbas9503]

@@vaevictis_ I'm not Canadian but I fail to see your point. You say actions speak louder than words which is of course true. What then do you think of the multiple genocides that Croatia have committed? How about the fact that to this day, many Croatian people still deny these genocides happen? Let's be honest, Croatia is just turkey but a bit to the left.

[@tonino5268]

Can't say that to a post-war nation that was in a war of independence defending themselves not 30 years ago. Very dumb.

[@marivsmvsic]

Croatia was doing their thing and they played at their 75%. As a Canadian I predicted Can not exiting the group lol if I can call that a prediction. I think he should resign after the world cup.

[@xboxgamerhr]

croatians really get motivated by this stuff they're fueled by anger

[@Seki1987]

Proud nation we are

[@thedeathlyhallows8087]

You’re not wrong. If there’s something that gets under our skin is disrespect. Especially in a game that we’re passionate about. When Herdman said that, my first thought was “what a friggin mistake that was”. They didn’t need to score that last goal.

[@banmate6]

I'm Croatian-American and root for Croatia. Was I offended by Herdman. Nah. I don't think the players were either. Too professional for that. But it does make for great entertainment and drama. These comments are hilarious. I think even Dalic and Kramaric are having fun with this. Now Borjan is a different story. He's an opponent, Serbian, and said things that in fact will raise Croatian temperatures: fans, coaches, players, and media. That's the guy who materially made a difference...right or wrong, it doesn't matter, you have to know your audience. We'll never know how much of a difference this made, if any. I am happy if Croatia plays its A game. Trash talk is just noise.

[@frankopanklaric]

As a croat I know the coach should have said the opposite. We are suckers for false praise. One compliment and we fall apart

[@djesidjenis4576]

It has nothing with Herdman words, result would be same anyway.Canadians are great athletes, but they need to train more with ball, game tactics and composition. Croats are class players and difference was obvious.

[@bozidardbk3330]

I think it's funny how everybody is afraid to come out and say the choice of words by Herdman conveyed disrespect and that is the key thing AS was him running away after the match without congratulating his Croatian colleague. It's lack of manners and lack of professionalism and you can try and play it off which ever other way you want,. but that's what it boils down to

[@gm9884]

Herdman is clown, we were not offended....real fuel was Canadian goal keeper Borjan

[@I_Love_Boobs]

Shaka! You're missing the point! Where's Your spirit? As he said it, thinking a few teams and a coach here or there will giggle. A whole NATION heard what he said, almost all of us are every step with them. And they know that.

[@Anonimni7]

Canada . . . Get Tradeu to coach you. :)

[@purpleking159]

Respect is the thing they preach about in the sports, and he was disrespectful.

[@karipskipunoglavac5464]

Never disrespect Croatia and never underestimate Croatia. Just remember what happened to England at World Cup 2018 and in qualifications for EURO 2008...

[@cantrait7311]

Many Canadians were cheering for Croatia Well done

[@matipelmatip]

You don't say that word in an interview about your opponent, simple as.. no context or excuses make it okay..

[@zzz-ps3sv]

stay in your sport guys, we never came to be humiliated at curling, so don't come back to football.

[@theredlineonepiece9811]

Nyahahahah

[@geoffreypereira8024]

What you say privately to your team should differ greatly from comments to the media. Not Hard.

[@damyr]

Media likes to overreact. That's the world we are living in currently. But the fact that Canadian coach didn't congratulate Croatian coach after the game was really bad manners.

[@mishmash9797]

That's a sign that he was too ashamed to encounter the Croatian coach after the debacle and his prior statement.

[@billwindsor4224]

Fantastic and hilarious panel discussion, ESPN FC; well done.

[@petesmart1983]

Love kramaric never really got a chance at Leicester city despite showing glimpses and the form of vardy, but has done well in germany

[@sean367]

Herdman showed he's a rank amateur with that remark.Clown 🤡

[@andreweconomos7400]

Shaka is incorrect.Herdman repeated this in the World Media after the game.

[@unwokeneuropean3590]

Rocky 4 was the movie with Ivan Drago. Also "small Canada" :-D Dude, Croatia is small... Canada is a huge country.

[@davorinrusevljan6440]

Well, I do not think words of Canada GM have been twisted . Canadians are nice young team that fights bravely, but they should learn the respect of opponents.

[@dasa7921]

Ohhh its all good. Croatia is 1300 years old year we were onder occupation for 1000+years...Little words dont really hurt us. Its actually cute and lovely by you ....trying to bond with us. Alot of Croatians live in Canada... We love you... No harm was taken,thanks for boosting us for next games.... Hope to see you guys again,good play vs Belgium..you just need someone to score goals and you will be better in 4 years. (Dont ever forget Cro team that was in finals lost Group level before ..) PLEASE WIN VS MAROCO!!! We need it!

[@georgefrancell5178]

Canada's serb goal keeper offended Croatians more. But he got his well deserved 4 goals. He is nothing but a tractorboy!

[@jtheduka8240]

You learned today. 😂

[@rokhorvat6660]

Marko Livaja GOAT🦁🦁🦁🇭🇷💪🏻

[@republikadugave420]

Canada is so irrelevant my gawd, total minnow ...if they played in Europe they would be on level of Luxembourg, Belarus or Azarbajan...side you just demolish for goal diff...Croatia is not Antigua and Barbuda or St Kits and Nevis... Next time show some respect

[@souhityasen4785]

Kramaric is funny 😇

[@warlok007]

Bravo Croatia Vatreni 🔥❤️‍🔥⚽🖤⬜🟥🫶❤️🤍💙☘️✌️👍🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷

[@clarkkent2220]

Canada's defense took the day off today 😴 💤 🛏

[@anteandrovic]

No they didnt get hyped up the MEDIA beat it up as usual .. what motivated Croatia was that goal in 1 minute.. that hurt their pride more than any swear words....

[@teecoles6732]

fire can be fueled.. but in a humorous way. that comment backfireds badly for their coach. And he got a taste of Croatian football. I believe Croatia and Morrocco should get out of this group.

[@patrikzeko2449]

it doesnt matter what he said, canada would still lose 4-0 4-1. croatia has 4th best team player for player...

[@borislavbrkic8662]

Herdman built his career and motivational language as a women's soccer team coach? Wow, Canada...

[@dalmatino2734]

ALEEEEEE ALEEEEEEEEEE 🇭🇷

[@jamqqq319]

Canada lost cause we suck as a country, nothing to do with what the coach said.

[@nickchemist723]

Well what he said sure didn’t help matters any did it ? Don’t tell me that didn’t provide extra motivation to the Croatian team .

[@vojvoda]

Herdmen made a ridicilous statement! This is not womens competition! Canada did not take a single point very dissapointing performance and if he stays coach for 2026 canada wont take a single point again!! Screw performance against belgium they did not even make The Group! Canada needs a New coach and at least 10 more players like davies to have any chance! The level is too high! Cant rely on 5 good players! Good luck! 🇨🇦

[@donmoss568]

Krama the man!

[@saurabhkulshrestha7959]

Except Brazil all South American teams are disappointing!!

[@ivano607]

Nice F from croatia

[@dharwinnair759]

is it just me or @lmechegaray always have his train of thoughts derailed and goes off on a trajectory to a completely different topic, keeps interrupting everyone, i mean it may just be quirks but over some time, it starts to get a little annoying. @jamesolley on the other hand always seems to be in a bad bad mood.

[@thoisin]

Espn pundits predicted Canada to reach semis

[@danielstanic2498]

PUNDITS!!!???? RATHER CLUELESS LUNATICS

[@role6159]

Last wc same pundits said Croatia will fail vs Pengland.. We won nations league group over France mo th ago... Clueless sheperds

[@cre8ivjay]

None of this is really news though. It's just a coach being a coach. Croatia played very well, Canada has a ways to go. 2026 here we come!

[@moeamraniprotrainer]

Congratulations Croatia! Morocco will send them home crying. 🇲🇦

[@basquat76]

Croatians got some thin skin. It's just confidence boost for his own team, no need to get all upset over that.

[@TexasLotteryPlayer]

The Question is how did these words get out of the dressing room.

[@eldrishpuza8512]

@@TexasLotteryPlayer he said to the media

[@vinton169]

Don't disrespect a recent WC Finalist, simple as it gets.. that comment by Herdman should've been kept inside their camp as motivation, not said to the media.

[@MarioCindric]

Nobody isn't petty, you simply don't talk to press and media those things and what exactly you said to your players as coach. To media you say somtething like We are going to try win next game. Or something like that.

[@patarp1350]

@@vinton169 The media were literally asking what they said and he answered it. It is not his fault. It was not disrespect but he answered they were going to prepare for Croatia. They respected Croatia and honoured them as a top team.

[@dlup5650]

Girl..plastic in your face affects your speech

[@dontdmme6927]

croatia petty asf lamooooooo

[@poki580]

yep, and i love it

[@Xof_D-Dawg_Fox]

Hahaha cry more

[@magijurisic2706]

We're all about defense. We never talk sh*t about anybody first and we prove ourselves with our actions. It's been like that throughout our history. If someone says something bad about you, why is it a bad thing to prove them wrong?

[@punqfreak]

On top of it all, the coach refused to shake hands in the end. Canada, again, showing the world their true colors of being a***oles when all they do is shout at the rooftops about how “nice” and “neighborly” they are. Actions always speak louder

[@krisxchirbas9503]

@@punqfreak what about Croatia who have committed multiple genocides in the last century and denied them for a long time (ustache) and still have significantly large groups denying them till this day. Actions speak larger than words and those actions tell me Croatia aren't exactly a kind nation.

[@SB-kd8le]

If that's the case Croatia is more of an insecure team to have to get 'revved up' an prove their worth to Canada?! Lol Also they talk about class and they need to photo shop Heardman is lame on Croatia.

[@henrylimit]

Herdman is the man go Canada!

[@juliovillagran4105]

I think Croats think the same. Great motivation.

[@Marco-fn6kg]

lol

[@zdenkorakitnican6093]

I'm glad he said what he said because we F....d him lol 😆 😂

[@zvonkokelava2624]

He is tipical englo canadian goof , nothing else

[@patrickkirby9265]

I think “the man” must mean douchebag in Canadian!

[@colocolo49]

i think this coach would be capable of calling someone N-word in public and later double down that it wasn't meant as an offense, ask why are you all such a thin skin etc.

[@tovartovarski5522]

Livaja is GOD!

[@Jonathanfootball144]

YAH is king not man

[@river114]

Livaja is hot

[@antonijelucius1010]

Dr. Mag. Sc. Livaja

[@drniskiprsut8305]

It's only 3-1 it's only 3-oneee 30000 empty seats it's only 3-1,it's only 4-1 it's only 4-oneee 40000 empty seats it's only 4-1,it's should be 10 its should be 10 you lucky b*** its should be 10.The WC is ours the wc is ouuurss f*** off to canada the wc is ours!

[@HardstyleSoldier7777]

Is that a guy who is playing in Hajduk and was kissing Dinamo crest on his shirt ?

[@tovartovarski5522]

Canada. Or with other words: The Siberia of the Western hemisphere😂😂☃⛄🌨🥶🥶🥶🥶

[@dalmatino2734]

He he, true.

[@tovartovarski5522]

Croatia demolished and humiliated the imported „Canadian“ nobodies! Stick to ice hockey! Football is our game! Cheers from the reigning Vice World Champion

[@derekzicari2181]

You've won nothing, vice world champion that's so thirsty lol

[@tovartovarski5522]

@@derekzicari2181 we are the best European top team and the Vice world champion. We are the only European top team without imported colonial African players. We are the only European top team with 10% European homegrown players and we demolished and humiliated your untalented anonymous imported african “Canadian” antitalents. Stick to ice Hockey! Football is for the Big guys and the top football nations like Croatia!

[@user-ve5ln5le9y]

It’s hockey, not ‘ice’ hockey. Football is for everyone. They are Canadians, period. And Canada has nothing to be humiliated about.

[@tovartovarski5522]

@@user-ve5ln5le9y it’s ice Hockey . Since There’s another sport called Hockey. Both sports are irrelevant like your Curling. Your imported africans are a joke in footbal. Same as your fridge country

[@Jonathanfootball144]

Reigning runner up come on man but bravo Hrvatska

[@matebalota9987]

Just imagine how this game would have ended with 11 Canadians on the pitch . And not with 2 Canadians and several imported Africans etc. With a purely Canadian team Croatia would have won 12-0

[@roboi2241]

By 'Canadian' you mean imported Europeans? You're probably too generous about the 12-0 scoreline as a pure Canadian team would consist solely of Inuit and Meti people not those imported from Europe, Africa or wherever.

[@ChauncyCharm]

What's a Canadian to you?

[@dontletherspeak7575]

@@ChauncyCharm a gay guy.

[@mnemonija]

thats quite racist...

[@JR-sj1jz]

Nothing like a little bit of casual racism to celebrate a win. Not surprised considering the history of past players like Josip Simunic

[@tovartovarski5522]

🇭🇷 F-ed 🇨🇦! Big time!