TORONTO (FN) — Croatia kept their World Cup hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Panama on Tuesday, a result that eliminated the Central Americans from contention and marked Luka Modric’s 200th international appearance.
Ante Budimir’s 54th-minute strike proved decisive in a match where Panama battled hard but failed to find the net, extending their goalless streak at the tournament.
Panama coach Thomas Christiansen, born in Denmark, said he was “super proud” of his players despite the defeat. “You cannot win a match if you don’t score,” he told reporters, adding that the team had taken strides forward in their second ever World Cup appearance.
Croatia, semifinalists in 2018 and 2022, were looking to recover after a 4-2 loss to England in their opening Group L game. Modric, 40, received a standing ovation from the 43,000-strong crowd in Toronto when substituted late in the match, and was lifted by teammates after the final whistle.
Panama nearly shocked the Croatians in the first half when Jose Luis Rodriguez’s header was tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. Croatia responded after halftime, with Budimir tapping in Josip Stanisic’s cross. Marco Pasalic missed a chance to double the lead minutes later, denied by Panama keeper Orlando Mosquera.
Panama will face England in their final group match Friday, while Croatia, now on three points, meet Ghana in a decisive clash for a place in the last 32. Ghana moved to four points earlier in the day after holding England to a goalless draw.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic praised Modric’s humility in reaching his milestone. “It could be that Luka might want to avoid all this,” Dalic said, acknowledging the midfielder’s discomfort with adulation.
The result underscores Croatia’s resilience in tournament play and highlights Panama’s progress despite elimination, as the team continues to build experience on football’s biggest stage.
