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FIFA World Cup 2026: Croatia remains after a solitary goal win over Panama
Ante Budimir's winner on Luka Modric's 200th appearance kept Croatia's World Cup hopes alive and ended Panama's chances of advancing.
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Wed, 24, Jun 2026
- 07:29 EDT
- 44
Croatia's Luka Modric, one of international football's most decorated midfielders, celebrated a landmark 200th appearance for his country / IFFHS
It was Ante Budimir who resuscitated Croatia. His goal early in the second half not only kept European afloat and well within a chance of making the knockout round but also doomed Pan American Panama.
The win was a special gift for Croatia’s finest midfielder Luka Modric who got his 200th international cap. He has become the fourth player to win this distinction after Cristiano Ronaldo, Bader Al-Mutawa and Lionel Messi.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: USA joins Mexico in the round of 32
The Croatian win also became significant as in an earlier game, England was held to a goalless draw by Ghana thus throwing open the Group to several possibilities. When Croatia and Panama took to the field before a packed Toronto Stadium, “win and only win” was perhaps their only motivation as three points of the game would have kept them afloat in this biggest ever FIFA World Cup.
Croatia came hoping for a win after its 2-4 loss to England. Panama had a 0-1 loss to Ghana in its earlier match.
The 0-1 defeat, the second in two games, sounded the death bell for Panama as the route to its further progress in the tournament had been snapped. Budimir, the Croatian hero, provided the only bright spot in an otherwise scrappy game. Both Panama and Croatia, both looking for a win for their survival, did as good as they could, both making a mess of some good chances that came their way.
Croatia whisked the game away from the grasp of their opponents with the one moment of true quality. The result means Croatia are alive and well at the 2026 World Cup. Panama, like its game against Ghana, had luck eluding it again. Ghana notched the match winner at the far end, blunting the aggression of their opponents.
Panama, after successive 0-1 defeats in both of their Group games so far, meant their unceremonious exit though they still have a game to go. Their pluck and determination were perhaps not enough to taste a win in this World Cup.
With a game to spare, and despite impressing again with their vigour and attacking play, the Central American nation failed to find answers to its failures in front of the goalmouths’ of their opponents, first against Ghana and today against Croatia. come up with the end product to make any of their good work count.
England dominated its game against Ghana but as ill luck would have it, it just squandered away many scoring chances in a rain-filled 0-0 draw.
Interestingly, England has not lost to any African country at the World Cup in nine meetings. Though it outshot Ghana 19-1 but failed to capitalize on multiple chances in the closing minutes.
Both teams had won their opening matches at this year's tournament, with Ghana beating Panama 1-0 and England defeating Croatia 4-2.
England ended up losing to France in the quarterfinals at the 2022 tournament. Ghana hasn’t made it to the knockout round since reaching the quarterfinals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
But with the expanded tournament this year, the best eight third-place teams will advance, giving both teams a good chance heading into their final group matches.
England will next play Panama on Saturday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ghana will take on Croatia at the same time in Philadelphia.
The English had a chance to take the lead in the 86th minute when Nico O’Reilly’s header hit the crossbar. Harry Kane gathered the rebound but couldn’t get enough on it with his left foot and shot high.
Ghana’s best chance came in the 78th minute when Abdul Fatawu outfought England midfielder Eberechi Eze for the ball and raced down the sideline. He fed the ball to Prince Adu, but he was challenged from behind by Ezri Konsa before he could get off a shot. Adu wanted a penalty but didn’t get it.
In the first half, England had 60 per cent of the possession but only five attempts on goal, with Kane missing inside the box just before the end of the half.
Ghana picked up the pace in the second half, getting a chance in the 50th minute when Marvin Senaya got a touch in the box, but couldn’t quite get much behind a header as it was blocked by the England defence.
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