Croatia Edge Panama 1-0 to Keep World Cup Hopes Alive
A second-half strike from substitute Ante Budimir and Luka Modric’s historic milestone define a pivotal Group L encounter that eliminates Panama from knockout contention.
Croatia secured their first points of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 victory over Panama in Group L. The result, delivered through a decisive second-half goal, keeps the Balkan nation’s tournament ambitions intact while effectively ending Panama’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
The deadlock was broken in the 54th minute when substitute Ante Budimir converted a deep cross at the back post. Croatia had struggled to assert dominance during the first half, and the breakthrough came after a period of sustained pressure. Marco Pasalic nearly doubled the lead shortly after the goal, breaking through on a one-on-one opportunity, but he failed to beat the Panama goalkeeper and subsequently missed the rebound.
The match carried significant weight following a simultaneous 0-0 draw between England and Ghana earlier in the day. That result meant that the loser of the Croatia-Panama fixture would be eliminated from contention for the round of 32. By securing the win, Croatia avoided that fate and moved into a more favourable position within the group standings.
Beyond the tactical outcome, the match marked a significant historical milestone for Croatia captain Luka Modric. During the fixture, Modric earned his 200th international cap, becoming only the second European player to reach this achievement. The occasion underscored the veteran midfielder’s enduring influence on the national team’s structure and performance.
The victory provides Croatia with crucial momentum as they navigate the group phase. With Panama now out of the picture, Croatia’s focus shifts to their remaining fixtures, where maintaining their current trajectory will be essential for securing a spot in the next round of the tournament.
