Budimir's strike keeps Croatia alive, eliminates Panama as Modric earns 200th cap
Ante Budimir's 54th-minute tap-in gave Croatia a vital 1-0 World Cup win over Panama on Tuesday, keeping the Vatreni in contention for the knockout round while ending Panama's campaign.
Match summary
A tightly contested Group L clash at Toronto's BMO Field saw Croatia edge past Panama 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from substitute Ante Budimir. The 34-year-old scored his first World Cup goal just four minutes after entering the match, converting Josip Stanišić's well-weighted cross into an open net. Before that, Panama had the better chances, with Jose Luis Rodriguez's header tipped onto the bar by goalkeeper Dominik Livaković in the first half.
The night carried special significance as Croatia captain Luka Modrić made his 200th international appearance, becoming only the fourth men's player to reach that milestone. At 40, Modrić had a quieter influence but still produced a perfectly timed pass that sent Marco Pašalić through on goal, only for Orlando Mosquera to smother the chance.
Key moments
Panama started brightly and nearly took the lead in the 23rd minute when Rodriguez guided a header towards goal, but Livaković's outstretched fingertips redirected the ball off the crossbar. After Budimir put Croatia ahead, the game erupted: Pašalić's 57th-minute breakaway was saved by Mosquera, and three rapid Panama attempts in the 67th minute were repelled by Livaković, who denied Carlos Harvey's header from a corner.
- 23rd minute: Jose Luis Rodriguez header tipped onto the bar by Dominik Livaković
- 54th minute: Ante Budimir scores from close range after a cross by Josip Stanišić
- 57th minute: Luka Modrić sends Marco Pašalić through on goal, but Orlando Mosquera saves
- 67th minute: Dominik Livaković makes three rapid saves, including a leaping stop from Carlos Harvey's header
Group L picture
Croatia's victory lifts them to three points, just behind England and Ghana, who each have four points after playing out a goalless draw earlier the same day. Panama are eliminated with zero points and no World Cup goals in two appearances. The group will be decided on Saturday, with Croatia facing Ghana in Philadelphia and England taking on Panama in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- England
- 4 points
- Ghana
- 4 points
- Croatia
- 3 points
- Panama
- 0 points
Off the pitch
Thousands of Croatian fans transformed Toronto's streets into a sea of red, white and blue, unveiling a 100-metre flag and chanting Modrić's name. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković was among those in the stands and had a simple message for the squad.
Just the message to the team: do what you know best, play with your heart for your country, for our flag, for our colours.
