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Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 this Tuesday at , during the second round of Group L in the 2026 World Cup, with a goal from Ante Budimir in the 54th minute, which was enough for the Europeans to earn their first three points in the tournament.
The first half passed without goals and with little offensive production from both sides. At halftime, Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić made some changes: Budimir and Andrej Kramarić came on in the 46th minute in place of Petar Musa and Josip Gvardiol, respectively.
The bet paid off almost immediately. Nine minutes into the second half, Budimir appeared at the far post to push in a cross from the right wing and open the scoring.
Panama failed to respond. The Central American team finished the match with only one total shot, none on target, compared to Croatia's two shots, one of which was the goal.
The possession was also overwhelmingly in favor of the Croatians: 64% to 36%.
Yoel Bárcenas received a yellow card for Panama in the 61st minute, while Petar Sucic received the same card for Croatia during stoppage time.
Luka Modrić left the field in the 81st minute, replaced by Mario Pasalic, in what could have been one of his last appearances in a World Cup group stage.
With this defeat, Panama is eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with zero points in two matches, zero goals scored, and two goals conceded.
It is the second consecutive World Cup for the Central American team without earning a single point, following their debut in Russia 2018.
Croatia, on the other hand, climbs to three points and ranks third in the as the "best third-place team," with chances of advancing to the next round.
That same Tuesday, England and Ghana drew 0-0 at Gillette Stadium in Boston, leaving both teams with four points and already qualified as first and second in the group.
The provisional standings are as follows: England (4 pts), Ghana (4 pts), Croatia (3 pts), and Panama (0 pts).
On Saturday, June 27, the third round will take place: at Lincoln Financial Field, while at MetLife Stadium.
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