Ante Budimir scores as Croatia beat Panama 1-0 in World Cup Group L

Ante Budimir Strike Keeps Croatia's World Cup Qualification Hopes Alive With 1-0 Win Over Panama | Video

Toronto: Croatia, with the help of Ante Budimir, secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Panama in their Group L clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Toronto Stadium on Tuesday (local time), keeping their World Cup campaign on track after an opening 4-2 defeat to England in their campaign-opener.Ante Budimir scores a second-half winner as Croatia eliminate Panama with a 1-0 win in Toronto pic.twitter.com/ahx4k8dNa9— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 24, 2026 France Coach Didier Deschamps To Miss Norway FIFA World Cup Match Following Mother's Death The match began in a cagey fashion, with Panama looking organised and physical in midfield while Croatia struggled to create clear chances. Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic found little space as Panama pressed high and disrupted Croatia's passing rhythm.The best chance of the first half came for Panama in the 23rd minute when Panama's Jose Luis Rodriguez met a cross with a powerful header, but goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic produced a superb save to tip the effort onto the crossbar.That’s now 200 Croatia appearances for Luka Modrić #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/iS6rVaeE9X— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 24, 2026 Croatia improved after the break following tactical changes from coach Zlatko Dalic, who introduced Ante Budimir to add more presence in attack. The substitution paid off quickly as Croatia took the lead in the 54th minute. A well-worked move down the right saw Josip Stanisic deliver a low cross into the box, which Budimir finished from close range at the far post.After falling behind, Panama pushed forward in search of an equaliser and created several dangerous moments. However, Livakovic was in outstanding form, making a series of crucial saves to deny the Panamanian attack, including a strong stop from a close-range header during a period of sustained pressure.Madness here in Toronto as Ante Budimir scores to give Croatia the 1-0 lead vs. Panama pic.twitter.com/ACTqG48ycQ— Bryan Meler (@BryanMeler) June 24, 2026 Croatia had chances to extend their lead on the counter-attack but could not find a second goal. Despite late pressure from Panama, they held firm defensively to secure all three points.The win takes Croatia to three points in the Group L standings, with England and Ghana tied for four points, setting up an important final group-stage match as they continue their push for qualification. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

21 hours ago

Croatia beat Panama 1-0 in World Cup group game

TORONTO, Canada (AFP)—Panama were eliminated from World Cup contention after Croatia kept their hopes of progressing to the last 32 alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win on Tuesday. Croatia, who made it to the last four of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, were looking to bounce back after their opening Group L match, a 4-2 defeat to England in Dallas. In the end, Ante Budimir's 54th minute goal proved enough to see off the spirited Central Americans. Croatia's most celebrated player, Luka Modric, was making his 200th international appearance, but his early headed effort on goal sailed over the bar. Under Danish-born coach Thomas Christiansen, Panama have implemented a tight defensive structure that helped them secure their second-ever World Cup appearance. But it was the Panamanian offence that almost made the difference in the first half. In the 23rd minute Jose Luis Rodriguez guided a header towards goal but the outstretched fingertips of Croatian 'keeper Dominik Livakovic redirected the ball off the bar. The second half marked a clear momentum shift and the capacity crowd of 43,000 in Toronto with a strong Croatian majority erupted when Budimir tapped in a cross from Josip Stanisic. Croatia should have been two up minutes later, when a perfectly weighted pass from Modric sent Marco Pasalic alone speeding towards goal. Pasalic's first effort was stopped by keeper Orlando Mosquera and although the rebound came back to him he blasted an off-balance second attempt well over the bar. Panama kept pressing for the equalizer but they ultimately failed to find the net, extending their World Cup goalless streak. They face England in what will be their final match of the tournament on Friday. Croatia have three points and will face Ghana, who moved onto four points after holding England to a goalless draw earlier, for a place in the final 32.

1 day ago