Panama vs Croatia 2026 World Cup Group L Match in Toronto
On June 23, 2026, Panama and Croatia played a crucial Group L match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto, Canada. Both teams entered under pressure after losing their openers—Croatia to England and Panama to Ghana. The match marked Luka Modrić’s 200th international cap, a historic milestone. Croatia faced potential group-stage elimination if they lost and Ghana avoided defeat against England. The game was refereed by Gabon’s Pierre Atcho.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Luka Sucic Makes World Cup Debut in Croatia's 1-0 Victory Over Panama
Croatia secured a vital 1-0 victory over Panama in the 2026 World Cup, breathing life into Zlatko Dalic's campaign and marking a personal milestone for midfielder Luka Sucic. The Real Sociedad player, who was part of Croatia's squad at Qatar 2022 but did not play, finally made his World Cup debut in the 73rd minute, replacing Pasalic. Sucic's performance was tactically focused, playing inside channels and touching 8 balls with 2 completed passes, though his free kick was blocked. The win places Croatia provisionally third in their group. With one matchday remaining, they face Ghana needing a win to seize second place or a draw to likely qualify among the best third-placed teams (top eight advance to round of 32). Ghana sits second with 4 points after drawing with England.
FútbolCroatian Coach Zlatko Dalic Praises Panama's Surprising Quality and Speed After 1-0 Win
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic congratulated Panama for their performance in a World Cup group stage match that Croatia won 1-0, with a goal from Ante Budimir. Dalic expressed surprise at Panama's quality, speed, and organization, stating the match was more difficult and tough than expected. He acknowledged his team's poor defensive performance, especially in the first half. Croatia now has 3 points after losing 4-2 to England and beating Panama. To advance past the group stage, Croatia needs to beat Ghana on June 27. Ghana currently has 4 points, the same as England, after beating Panama 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with England. Dalic warned that Ghana demonstrated exceptional quality in their draw against England.
FútbolPanama 0-1 Croatia, FIFA World Cup 2026: Ante Budimir's Winner Eliminates Panama as Croatia Keeps Hopes Alive
Croatia secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Panama in Group L of the FIFA World Cup 2026, keeping their knockout stage hopes alive. Ante Budimir scored the only goal in the 54th minute, converting a cross from Josip Stanišić, just four minutes after Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić brought on an extra forward. The win eliminated Panama, who still seek their first World Cup point. Luka Modrić marked his 200th international appearance in the match, receiving a tribute from teammates post-game. Croatia faces Ghana in their final group match, needing a win to advance. Panama will play England in their last game.
Yardbarker: Soccer2026 World Cup: Croatia Eliminates Panama in Painful 1-0 Victory
Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 in a 2026 World Cup group-stage match on June 24, 2026, eliminating Panama from the tournament. The only goal was scored by Ante Budimir in the 54th minute, just moments after he came on as a halftime substitute. He capitalized on a poor clearing attempt by the Panamanian goalkeeper from a Stanisic cross. Panama had earlier hit the crossbar through a Rodriguez header (22nd minute), and Croatian goalkeeper made a double save after the break (67th minute) followed by another save against Jiovany Ramos. Panama, who had lost their opening match 1-0 to Ghana after controlling much of that game, now exit the competition. Croatia, having won their first match, can secure at least second place in the group if they beat Ghana on the final matchday. Luka Modric played a key role in the victory.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertPanama Eliminated from World Cup After Narrow Loss to Croatia
Panama has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite a strong performance and creating several good scoring opportunities against Croatia. The match was decided by a narrow margin when Croatian super-substitute Ante Budimir scored shortly after coming onto the field, knocking the underdog Panamanian team out of the tournament. The article, published by WELT on June 24, 2026, highlights Panama's competitive effort but ultimate disappointment, and directs readers to watch the match highlights in an accompanying video. The result marks the end of Panama's World Cup campaign, while Croatia advances with the hard-fought victory.
Nachrichten - WELTCroatia beat Panama 1-0 to stay in World Cup contention, eliminate Panama
Croatia secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Panama in their Group L match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 24, 2026. The win gives Croatia their first points of the tournament and keeps them in contention for a spot in the last 32. For Panama, the loss eliminates them from the World Cup. The match report was published by BBC Sport, though the full article and video highlights are geo-restricted to UK users. Croatia will now look to build on this result in their remaining group stage fixtures, while Panama's World Cup journey ends with this defeat.
BBC SportFIFA World Cup: Budimir gives Croatia 1-0 win to eliminate Panama in Group L
Ante Budimir scored the only goal in the second half as Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 in their World Cup Group L match in Toronto on June 23, 2026. The win gave Croatia their first points of the tournament and eliminated Panama. The match was notable for Luka Modric making his 200th international appearance for Croatia, aged 40. Croatia's goal came from a Marco Pasalic backheel to Josip Stanisic, whose cross was headed home by Budimir. Despite Panama's early pressure and pace down the wings, they could not find the net. Croatia will face Ghana in their final group match, while Panama face England.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Budimir's Decisive Goal Secures Croatia Victory Over Panama in 2026 World Cup
In a 2026 World Cup match, Croatia faced unexpected difficulty against underdog Panama. After a goalless first half, Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić made a tactical substitution, bringing on veteran striker Ante Budimir. Budimir quickly scored the decisive go-ahead goal, securing Croatia's victory. The article highlights the match's tension and Budimir's impact as a 'joker' (super-sub), and includes a video of the winning goal. The match took place on June 24, 2026, as reported by German news outlet Die Welt.
Nachrichten - WELTCroatia defeats Panama 1-0 in World Cup Group L match
In a tightly contested 2026 World Cup Group L clash in Toronto, Croatia defeated Panama 1-0, eliminating Panama from tournament contention. Halftime substitute Ante Budimir scored his first World Cup goal in the 54th minute, finishing a well-worked attack from Josip Stanisic and Marco Pasalic. The goal followed the match's best attacking sequence and sparked a 15-minute period of intense action, with both teams creating chances. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made several key saves to preserve the lead. With this result, Croatia (1-1-0, 3 points) remains third in the group but can secure a top-two finish by beating Ghana in their final match. Panama (0-2-0, 0 points) is still seeking its first World Cup point after five matches. England leads the group with 4 points after a 0-0 draw with Ghana.
Yardbarker: SoccerBudimir rescues Croatia with winner against Panama on Modric’s landmark day
On the night Luka Modric became the fourth male footballer to earn 200 caps for his country, Ante Budimir scored the only goal to give Croatia a vital 1-0 victory over Panama in Group L of the 2026 World Cup. The win puts Zlatko Dalić's side a point behind group leaders England and Ghana, keeping their campaign alive after an opening defeat to England. Panama, eliminated from the tournament, have now failed to score in either of their two matches and remain winless across five World Cup games spanning the 2018 and 2026 editions. The match featured a predictably defensive Panama side, who packed their formation and looked to counter, but lacked attacking precision. Croatia struggled to break through but eventually secured the win, with Modric celebrated by teammates after the final whistle.
Football | The GuardianBudimir rescues Croatia with winner against Panama on Modric’s landmark day
Ante Budimir scored the only goal as Croatia beat Panama 1-0 in Group L of the 2026 World Cup, rescuing their campaign after an opening defeat. The match marked Luka Modric's 200th senior appearance for Croatia, making him the fourth male player in history to reach the milestone, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Bader al-Mutawa. Modric was celebrated by teammates who gave him black 'Infinite Legacy' T-shirts and threw him in the air. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic praised Modric's humility. Panama, eliminated after two losses, have yet to score in the tournament despite recent successes in Copa América and Nations League. The result leaves Croatia a point behind England and Ghana in the group standings.
Football | The GuardianCroatia hangs on to eliminate Panama in a tight 1-0 victory
Croatia secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama in a 2026 World Cup group stage match, eliminating Panama from the tournament. Luka Modric made his 200th start for Croatia, the most of any player in the nation's history. The first half was scoreless with both sides creating chances, including a near-miss by Panama in the 23rd minute. In the second half, substitute Ante Budimir scored in the 68th minute from a Josip Stanisic cross. Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made several crucial saves to preserve the lead despite sustained pressure from Panama. The result gives Croatia three points, and the final group stage matches will determine the group winner based on other results.
Yardbarker: SoccerPanama vs Croatia World Cup 2026: Budimir Goal Secures Victory for Croatia
In a Group Stage Matchday 2 fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Croatia defeated Panama 1-0. The solitary goal was scored by Ante Budimir, securing three points for the Croatian team. This victory allowed Croatia to level their group standings. The match report emphasizes Budimir's performance, dubbed the 'killer' of the Spanish league, now making an impact on the world stage. The article briefly mentions that England struggled in their match, and includes promotional links for the AS sports app and content licensing.
Fútbol en AS.comModric's 200th Match Sees Croatia Edge Panama 1-0 in World Cup Group Stage
Croatia secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama in their World Cup group stage match, with veteran midfielder Luka Modric playing his 200th international appearance. The 2018 runners-up and 2022 third-place finishers struggled against the underdog Panama team, which played pleasantly but lacked finishing precision. The winning goal came in the 54th minute from super-sub Ante Budimir, who scored shortly after coming on following a low cross from Bayern Munich's Josip Stanisic. Panama had chances including Jose Luis Rodriguez hitting the crossbar in the first half, but Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made several brilliant saves to preserve the lead. The result leaves Croatia with 3 points, keeping their qualification fate in their own hands ahead of a final group match against Ghana. Panama's second defeat means early elimination from the tournament, making their final group match against England meaningless. Modric, at age 40, received chants of 'Luka, Luka' from fans when substituted ten minutes before the end.
Nachrichten - WELTModrić's 200th Match Sees Croatia Edge Panama 1-0 in World Cup Group Stage
Luka Modrić celebrated his 200th international cap as Croatia secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Panama in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L match in Toronto. Substitutes Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramaric were introduced at halftime, with Budimir scoring in the 54th minute from a Josip Stanisic cross. Despite dominating possession, Croatia struggled with creativity and precision, nearly conceding when Panama's Jose Luis Rodriguez hit the crossbar. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made several crucial saves to preserve the lead. The win keeps Croatia's knockout stage hopes alive with three points, ahead of a decisive final group match against Ghana. Panama, eliminated after their second defeat, will face England in a dead rubber. Modrić, aged 40, received an emotional send-off from fans when substituted late in the game.
Nachrichten - WELTBudimir Gives Croatia and Modric Life, Sends Panama Out of World Cup
Croatia secured their first win of the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Panama in Group L, thanks to a second-half goal from substitute Ante Budimir. The 34-year-old Osasuna striker scored in the 54th minute, finishing a cross from a one-two between Josip Stanisic and Marco Pasalic. The win keeps Croatia's tournament hopes alive, while Panama, coached by Thomas Christiansen, is eliminated with 0 points. Croatia struggled in the first half, with Luka Modric unable to impose his game, but improved after halftime with Budimir's introduction. Panama had chances, including a header off the crossbar, but failed to convert. The result leaves Croatia with 3 points, while England and Ghana have 4 points each after their draw.
FútbolCroatia beat Panama 1-0 in World Cup as Budimir strike keeps 2018 finalists alive
Ante Budimir came off the bench to score the only goal as Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 in Toronto on June 24, 2026, keeping their World Cup hopes alive after an opening loss to England. The half-time substitution by coach Zlatko Dalic proved decisive: Budimir bundled home Josip Stanisic's cross in the 54th minute. Croatia's defense was largely untroubled, though Panama had a few chances saved by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. Mario Pasalic missed a clear opportunity to double the lead. The result puts Croatia in a strong position to advance from Group L, while Panama is eliminated from the tournament.
SkySports | NewsBudimir Rescues Croatia with Debut Goal on Modric's 200th Cap
Ante Budimir scored on his World Cup debut just nine minutes after coming on at halftime, securing a crucial 1-0 victory for Croatia over Panama. The Osasuna striker connected with a measured cross from Stanišić in the 54th minute. Luka Modric played his 200th match for the national team and received a standing ovation when substituted in the 80th minute. Croatia dominated possession (57.8%) and generated 1.66 xG compared to Panama's 0.62. Panama, now eliminated with their second defeat, struggled to finish despite creating danger on transitions. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic made tactical changes at halftime, bringing on both Kramaric and Budimir to turn the match. Goalkeeper Livakovic made several key saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Fútbol en AS.comCroatia beats Panama 1-0 to keep World Cup group-stage hopes alive
Croatia secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama on Tuesday evening in Toronto during the second day of World Cup group stage play. Ante Budimir scored the winning goal in the 54th minute after coming off the bench. The win gives Croatia three points and keeps them in contention for first place in Group L, which also includes England and Ghana—who earlier played out a 0-0 draw and have four points. Panama, with zero points, has been eliminated from the tournament. Croatia had previously lost 4-2 to England but showed attacking promise. Coach Zlatko Dalic switched from a five-man to a four-man defense to address defensive concerns. The article notes that despite the win, Croatia was not entirely convincing.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuCroatia's Joker Prevents Embarrassment Against No-Name Team Panama
Croatia narrowly defeated Panama 1-0 in a World Cup group stage match, avoiding a major upset. Superstar Luka Modric celebrated his 200th international appearance, but the team struggled against the determined Central American underdogs. Panama, already eliminated after two games, dominated long stretches and hit the crossbar in the 23rd minute. The winning goal came from substitute Ante Budimir, who scored nine minutes after entering the match at halftime, converting a cross from Bayern Munich's Josip Stanisic. Panama's goalkeeper Mosquera made a costly error on the goal. Croatia, having lost their opening match 2-4 to England, kept their knockout round hopes alive with the victory. Modric, at age 40, was substituted in the 81st minute to applause from the fans.
BILD - Sport