Croatia defeats Panama, reignites World Cup qualifying hopes

Croatia has revitalized its World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama. The win, secured on Wednesday during the third matchday of Group L, not only opens Croatia's points tally but also keeps their hopes of advancing alive.

The decisive moment came in the 54th minute when substitute Ante Budimir found the back of the net. He capitalized on a collective attacking move, converting a cross from the right flank to give his team the lead. The match also marked a significant personal achievement for Croatian captain Luka Modrić, who earned his 200th international appearance, a feat that positions him as only the second European player to reach this landmark.

While the first half was a tight, balanced affair, Croatia gradually asserted dominance. They had opportunities to extend their lead shortly after scoring, but Panama's goalkeeper denied Marco Pašalić. For Panama, this defeat signals their exit from the competition, a tough outcome in a group where every point was critical following the draw between England and Ghana the previous day.

The result places added pressure on England and Ghana, whose earlier draw complicated their qualification prospects. Croatia's win, however, injects crucial momentum into their campaign as they look to build on this success in subsequent matches.