Croatia have knocked Panama out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 1-0 win in their Group L clash, a victory built on a goal from Andrej Budimir. The same match saw Croatia's veteran midfielder Luka Modric complete his 200th appearance for the national team.
How the match played out
Both sides spent long stretches of the game hunting for openings, and the contest stayed tight for most of the ninety minutes. In the 81st minute, Croatia's coaching staff withdrew Modric and brought on Mario Pasalic in his place. Budimir's goal ultimately proved decisive, handing Croatia a 1-0 lead that held until full time and ending Panama's hopes of advancing further in the tournament.
A landmark night for Modric
Reaching 200 caps is a major milestone in Modric's career. It places him in an elite bracket that already includes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and according to reports, he is only the fourth player to reach this feat. The night carried a bittersweet edge for him though, since he was substituted off in the 81st minute even as his side went on to seal the win.
Group L and the expanded 48-team tournament
This fixture formed part of Group L at the FIFA World Cup 2026, a tournament that now features 48 teams, the largest field in the competition's history. Round two of the group matches was being played out around the same time, including a fixture involving Cristiano Ronaldo.
What comes next for Croatia
Having sealed the win in Group L, Croatia now turn their attention to a fixture against Ghana. For Panama, though, the World Cup 2026 campaign has come to an end.
