World Cup 2026: Croatia grind out a messy win over Panama, Budimir makes the difference off the bench
Croatia had to dig deep to get the job done. On Tuesday night at BMO Field in Toronto, the 2018 World Cup runners-up beat Panama 1-0 thanks to an Ante Budimir goal in the 54th minute, just minutes after he had come on. It was a priceless win for a side coming off a 2-4 defeat by England, but it did little to ease concerns about Croatia’s level. Dalic had switched from a back five to a back four, a move that hardly convinced as the defence looked shaky throughout.
The first half was pretty flat from Croatia. Panama, beaten at the death by Ghana in their opener, were lively enough and fashioned the best chance of the opening period, with Jose Luis Rodriguez’s header diverted onto his own bar by Livakovic in the 23rd minute. Croatia did not manage a shot on target until the closing stages of the half, when Baturina’s effort was turned behind for a corner by Mosquera. Luka Modric, meanwhile, was winning his 200th cap, becoming only the third player in history to reach that milestone.
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Budimir and a system switch spark Croatia into life
Dalic’s call changed everything. At the break, the Croatia coach made two changes and tweaked the shape again, going back to a back three. Gvardiol made way for Kamaric, while Musa was replaced by Budimir. Ten minutes after coming on, Ante Budimir latched onto a fine cross from Josip Stanisic and bundled the ball home in the 54th minute. At 34 years and 11 months, he is now Croatia’s oldest scorer at a World Cup, overtaking Ivica Olic.
Livakovic then became the key man, denying former Marseille defender Amir Murillo twice in the 68th minute before seeing the ball come back off his own bar from the resulting corner. The cooling break then killed the tempo and helped Croatia protect their narrow lead as best they could. With three points, they can still finish top of Group L ahead of England and Ghana, who drew 0-0 earlier in the evening and are level on four points apiece. Panama, meanwhile, are out with zero points.
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