Croatia secured a vital 1-0 victory over Panama on Wednesday at Toronto Stadium in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match, keeping their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive while eliminating Panama from the tournament. The win, sealed by substitute Ante Budimir’s 54th-minute strike, marked Croatia’s first points in the competition and came on the occasion of captain Luka Modrić’s 200th international appearance.

Modrić, who became only the fourth player in history to reach this milestone, orchestrated Croatia’s best chances in a scrappy encounter dominated by defensive resilience. His pinpoint through ball set up a clear chance for Mario Pašalić, who narrowly missed converting in the first half. Despite Panama’s Danish-born manager Thomas Christiansen lamenting that “you cannot win a match if you do not score goals,” Croatia’s defense, marshaled by veteran goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, repeatedly thwarted Panamanian attacks.

Panama, who had already been eliminated from Group L, came close to equalizing when a header rattled the crossbar in the second half, prompting German outlet *Welt* to headline the moment as “Glück gehabt, Kroatien!” FIFA’s man-of-the-match award went to Panamanian midfielder Cristian Martínez, underscoring the individual quality on display despite the defeat.

Croatia now face a decisive final group match against Ghana on Sunday, with qualification hinging on results elsewhere. A draw or win would likely secure their passage, while a loss could still end their campaign depending on Colombia’s performance against the same opponents. The Croatians, bronze medalists at the last two World Cups, have shown resilience in Toronto but must improve their attacking output to progress. Modrić’s milestone and Budimir’s late strike provided a lifeline, yet the narrow victory revealed familiar challenges in front of goal.

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What Croatia need to qualify for World Cup knockout stage after Panama victory Croatia remain firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup after securing a... The post What Croatia need to qualify for World Cup knockout stage after Panama victory first appeared on Croatia Week.

croatia week · about 3 hours ago

Chorvaté na mistrovství světa přehráli Panamu a drží šanci na postup. Kolumbie si poradila s Kongem Chorvatští fotbalisté na mistrovství světa porazili ve skupině L v Torontu Panamu 1:0 a oživili své postupové naděje. V 54. minutě o tom rozhodl Ante Budimir, který nastoupil až do druhého poločasu. Chorvatský kapitán Luka Modrić odehrál jako čtvrtý fotbalista v historii dvoustý mezistátní zápas.

irozhlas.cz · about 3 hours ago

Which teams have qualified for the World Cup 2026 knockouts, round of 32? The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage format, criteria and rules for qualification. Find out whos in and whos out.

aljazeera · about 3 hours ago

Nach Zauberpass von Modrić – Palasic vergibt Riesenchance Kroatien trifft im zweiten Spiel auf Panama. Der kroatische Superstar Luka Modrić absolviert sein 200. Länderspiel und spielt einen Pass, wie man ihn von ihm kennt. Die Szene im Video.

welt.de · about 3 hours ago

CM 2026. Victorie vitală pentru Croația, 1-0 cu Panama. Modric, meciul 200 la națională Selecționata Croației a obținut o victorie vitală, 1-0 (0-0) cu Panama, marți, pe Toronto Stadium, într-un meci din Grupa L a Cupei Mondiale de fotbal 2026, găzduită de Canada, Statele Unite și Canada.

digi24 · about 3 hours ago

Hoppet lever för Kroatien Det var målsnålt och det gick stundtals långsamt. Men Kroatien håller liv i hoppet om avancemang i VM efter 1–0 mot Panama – som nu är ute ur turneringen.– Man kan inte vinna en match om man inte gör mål, konstaterade Panamas danskfödde tränare Thomas Christiansen efteråt.

svenska dagbladet · about 3 hours ago

Kroatien müht sich bei Fußball-WM zu 1:0 gegen Panama Kapitän Luka Modric durfte in seinem 200. Länderspiel über einen wichtigen Erfolg jubeln.

die presse · about 3 hours ago

Horvaatia legend jõudis võimsa tähiseni ja meeskond jäi MMil napilt ellu Jalgpalli MMil alistas Horvaatia L-alagrupi ellujäämismängus 1:0 Panama.

postimees · about 4 hours ago

Ο Λούκα Μόντριτς έφτασε τις 200 συμμετοχές με την Κροατία και αποθεώθηκε, δείτε βίντεο

protothema · about 4 hours ago

„Glück gehabt, Kroatien! - Panama köpft an die Latte Im Spiel gegen Kroatien kommt Panama immer wieder zu Chancen. Die Szene im Video.

welt.de · about 4 hours ago

Croația a câștigat cu Panama, lupta pentru locul 1 în Grupa L devine acerbă Aflată pe ultimul loc în Grupa L, echipa de fotbal a Croației a obținut o victorie vitală, 1-0 (0-0), cu Panama. Clasată pe podium la ultimele două ediții ale CM de fotbal, echipa europeană se va lupta pentru locul 1 cu Anglia și Ghana.

adevarul · about 4 hours ago

Back in stork: returning birds bring joy to Croatian village

news.yahoo.com · about 4 hours ago

Doppelchance für Panama – Livaković muss sich strecken Im Spiel zwischen Panama und Kroatien kommen die Panamaer immer wieder zu Chancen. Der Torwart der Kroaten hält seine Mannschaft aber im Spiel.

welt.de · about 4 hours ago

Kroatien ringt Panama bei Modrićs 200. Länderspiel nieder Damit kommen die Kroaten zu ihren ersten Punkten. Ein Treffer von Joker Budimir machte den Unterschied. Panama ist ausgeschieden

der standard · about 4 hours ago

Victoria de Croacia ante Panamá en el partido 200 de Modric El equipo de Dalic suma sus primeros tres puntos en el Mundial gracias a un gol de Budimir Leer

elmundo · about 4 hours ago

Kiszenvedték a győzelmet Panama ellen a horvátok Modric 200. válogatott mérkőzésén Horvátország 1-0-ára verte Panamát, amely így már biztosan nem juthat tovább a csoportból. Sokat elmond a találkozóról, hogy a FIFA-értékelés szerint a panamai Cristian Martinez lett a meccs embere.

hvg.hu · about 4 hours ago

T-Shirts zum 200. Länderspiel – Kroatien feiert Modrić Beim Spiel gegen Panama stand Luka Modrić zum 200. Mal für die kroatische Nationalmannschaft auf dem Platz. Zur Feier des Tages trugen seine Teamkollegen nach dem Spiel besondere T-Shirts. Die Szene im Video.

welt.de · about 4 hours ago