One precise Josip Stanišić cross and Ante Budimir’s 54th-minute finish turned a night of Croatian tension into a vital Panama Croatia World Cup win, 1-0 at BMO Field in Toronto.
Croatia did not glide through this match. Zlatko Dalić’s side played with visible strain after the opening defeat to England, but got the result on muscle, staying alive in the group while Panama pushed them into an uncomfortable contest.
Budimir breaks Panama resistance
Dalić had reshaped Croatia into a 4-2-3-1, with Mateo Kovačić, Marin Pongračić and Marco Pašalić among the changes noted from the England game. The plan was to stretch Panama wide, but the first half stayed locked at 0-0 as Croatia’s possession lacked speed and Panama’s compact, aggressive approach kept the game awkward.
The warning signs were real. Panama finished with more total shots, 8 to Croatia’s 6, and later the corner count told the same story, 7 to 2. Croatia’s only first-half effort on target came late through Martin Baturina, and the match needed a reset.
That reset arrived at the interval, when Budimir and Andrej Kramarić came on. Nine minutes later, Pašalić’s clever touch released Stanišić on the right, and his cross found Budimir at the far post for the Panama Croatia goal that decided the night.
Modrić and Perišić calm Croatia
Croatia had 58% possession and completed 432 passes to Panama’s 277, but this was control under pressure rather than comfort. Luka Modrić, on a night noted as his 200th appearance for the national team, gave Croatia structure with 69 completed passes from 79, 87% accuracy, one key pass, 4 duels won from 5 and 2 tackles in 81 minutes.
Ivan Perišić also gave Croatia valuable stability across the full 90 minutes. Rated 6.9, he completed 38 of 43 passes for 88%, added one key pass and made 3 tackles, even if his 3 duels won from 7 showed how physical Panama made the evening.
Panama deserve credit for refusing to fade. They had only 1 shot on target to Croatia’s 2, but their corners, direct pressure and 19 fouls against Croatia’s 12 underlined how disruptive and competitive they were.
Croatia seizes lifeline in group race
The final whistle left Croatia third with 3 points, 1 win and 1 defeat, a crucial response after the England loss and an earlier England-Ghana 0-0 that had complicated the group picture. Panama remain fourth on 0 points after two defeats, but their performance made Croatia earn every centimetre of this survival win.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup; Date & Time: Wednesday 24 June 2026, 01:00 CET; Venue: BMO Field, Toronto; Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho, Gabon.
