Without creating an overwhelming dominance or showcasing a flashy style of play, Croatia still achieved the most important thing: securing all three points against Panama in their second match of Group L at the 2026 World Cup .
A narrow 1-0 victory in Toronto revived the European representatives' hopes of qualifying for the round of 16, while also demonstrating the resilience of a great team that knows how to overcome difficult moments.
Croatia rekindled hopes of advancing after their victory against Panama.
After a 2-4 defeat against England in their opening match, Croatia entered the clash with Panama under immense pressure. An unfavorable result could have led to an early exit from the tournament. In that situation, the experience of the players, who had competed in major tournaments for many years, proved invaluable.
Despite Panama's determined start and willingness to push forward in attack, Croatia maintained their composure. They controlled the tempo of the game better, making the most of their few opportunities to make a difference.
The turning point came in the 54th minute, when striker Ante Budimir finished accurately after a combination with Marco Pasalic and Josip Stanisic, scoring the only goal of the match. While Budimir sealed the victory, Luka Modric continued to be the driving force behind Croatia's play.
At 40 years old, the veteran midfielder still showed his class and significant influence in the match marking his 200th appearance for the national team. Modric's presence brought stability to the midfield, helping Croatia maintain control of the game despite the pressure created by Panama towards the end of the match.
For Panama, this defeat is regrettable because the CONCACAF representatives played with great effort. They consistently launched attacks down the flanks, delivered many dangerous crosses, and created pressure from set pieces.
However, a lack of finishing quality prevented Panama from converting their opportunities into goals. After two consecutive defeats, the Central American team officially lost all chances of advancing.
Despite losing the match, Cristian Martinez of Panama was still voted Man of the Match.
While the victory against Panama doesn't guarantee Croatia a place in the knockout round, it showcased the valuable qualities of a team that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Even when not at their best, Croatia knows how to win. In major tournaments, this is often a sign of a team with the character to go far.
The final matchday of Group L promises to be very tense, as Croatia is only one point behind England and Ghana, still having a chance to compete for a place in the next round. If they continue to maintain their solidity and leverage the experience of veterans like Modric, the Croatian team can certainly continue their journey at the 2026 World Cup.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/croatia-da-tim-lai-cong-thuc-gianh-chien-thang-196260624090218403.htm
![[Photo] Prime Minister Le Minh Hung presides over the thematic session on promoting science and technology development and innovation.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/23/1782207872934_ndo_br_dsc-1724-jpg.webp)
