Croatia edges past Panama to keep its WC 2026 hopes alive

After opening the tournament with a 4:2 loss to England, Croatia needed the win over Panama to ensure control over its own destiny heading into its final group stage game against Ghana this weekend.

Croatia beat Panama 1:0 in Toronto on Tuesday night in front of 43 000 fans in Toronto’s BMO Stadium, of which more than half of the fans were Croatia supporters. In a hard fought game Croatia clearly didn’t play up to its level. And while it did dominate possession Croatia only managed to put three shots on net, frequently allowing Panama easy access to solid scoring chances. It was only through the now commonplace heroics of goalkeeper Dominik Livaković that Croatia didn’t enter the half a goal down.

Coach Zlatko Dalić made two key changes at the half, bringing on veteran strikers Andrej Kramarić and Ante Budimir. This ultimately paid off as Budimir scored the lone goal for Croatia in the 54th minute of play on a minty-fresh give and go between Marko Pašalić and Josip Stanišić down the right wing, with Stanišić offering up a very useful cross into the penalty area that Budimir converted with ease.

Here's what coach Dalić had to say after the game: “It was a very difficult game against good opponent that was dangerous in transition and fast on counter-attacks. We didn't manage to do much of anything in the first half, but the second half was much better. The most important thing is the three points; we need to move forward because we're still in the hunt.”

For team captain Luka Modrić this was his 200th cap for the national team, joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kuwait's Bader al-Mutawa as the only players to record 200 senior appearances for their country. Here's what he had to say about this milestone game: “Thank God we secured the win and these three vital points for us. My one hundredth cap didn't end as happily, but again, thank God this one did! We're all happy with the win. This is what we were hoping for. But, obviously, to make 200 appearances in my favorite jersey is something that is truly unbelievable. I am happy and proud of this achievement.”

In the other Group "L" game England and Ghana played to a scoreless draw. Going into the third and final round England and Ghana have four points each, although England leads on goal difference. Croatia is third with three points, while Panama is last having yet to register a point and has been eliminated from the knock-out stage of the competition.

Croatia will play its final and decisive Group stage game against Ghana in Philadelphia this Saturday. Opening kick-off is at 23:00 Central European Time (15:00 Eastern Standard Time). A win against Ghana would secure their ticket to the knock-out stage of the tournament.

Source: HRT