Croatia secured a vital 1-0 victory over Panama in a Group L encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, keeping their knockout-stage hopes intact. Ante Budimir scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute, capitalizing on a well-worked move to give the 2022 World Cup bronze medalists a much-needed three points.
The result comes after Croatia’s opening loss to England, putting them back in contention for advancement from the group. Goalkeeper Dominik Livaković was outstanding, producing several crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet and frustrate Panama’s attacks.
Croatia edges Panama 1-0 to eliminate them and stay alive in 2026 World Cup
The victory effectively eliminates Panama from the tournament, while boosting Croatia’s prospects ahead of their remaining group fixtures. The match also marked a milestone for veteran star Luka Modric, who earned his 200th international cap, further highlighting his enduring legacy in Croatian football.
Croatia will now look to build on this result as they aim to progress deeper into the competition. On the other hand, Panama’s World Cup campaign has now ended in disappointment. Although their attacking intent and work rate were evident throughout, they struggled to find the goals they needed at crucial moments, which cost them a secure place.
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