Croatia edges Panama 1-0 to advance in World Cup 2026

Croatia secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Panama in their second match of the 2026 World Cup, earning a crucial three points that position them as runners-up in Group L. The win, however, was hard-fought, with Panama proving a resilient opponent throughout the game.

The decisive moment came in the 54th minute when Ante Budimir found the back of the net. A cross from Josip Stanisic on the right flank set up Budimir, who beat the Panamanian goalkeeper to score the only goal of the match. Following the goal, Croatia focused on defending their lead, while Panama pushed forward in search of an equalizer.

Despite Panama's efforts, they were unable to break through Croatia's defense. The match statistics showed a relatively balanced possession, with Croatia holding 57.8% and Panama 42.2%. Ultimately, Panama's defeat, coupled with their previous loss, means they are eliminated from the tournament. England and Ghana currently lead Group L with four points each, while Croatia sits in second place with three points.