Group L standings Share<\/a><\/p>\n A lovely scene on the pitch as Croatia\u2019s players don special shirts in honor of Modri\u0107\u2019s 200th cap, saying \u201cInfinite Legacy\u201d underneath some nice art of him taking a kick. The former Ballon d\u2019Or winner seems a bit uncomfortable with all the adulation, though that feels in-character.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>FINAL: Panama 0-1 Croatia<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t pretty, but it didn\u2019t need to be. Croatia<\/a> gets three sorely needed points, while Panama is out after a pair of hard-fought 1-0 defeats.<\/p>\n Relief for Croatia at full-time as they take all three points. Photograph: Stephanie Scarbrough\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.00 EDT<\/p>\n 90+3 min After a lot of great work up the right, Amir Murillo takes the free kick but sends it over the bar. Two minutes left for Croatia<\/a> to sweat this one out\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 90+1 min One of Davis\u2019 first involvements is wasteful, as he sends a free kick right to Livakovi\u0107. That said, Rodr\u00edguez draws another dead ball in much closer proximity as Petar Suci\u0107 is shown a yellow card\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 90 min Two changes for Panama<\/a> (and I missed one earlier)<\/p>\n Fajardo, B\u00e1rcenas, and Blackman off. Azar\u00edas Lodo\u00f1o, Tom\u00e1s Rodr\u00edguez, and \u00c9ric Davis in. Five minutes of stoppage time<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.50 EDT<\/p>\n 89 min This scrappy affair is nearing its end as Panama struggles to breach the Croatian box.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 85 min Some good back and forth forcing blocked shots from both sides, and Croatia<\/a> is trying to resume its first-half possession routine to eat up some clock. Panama is meeting their moment though and not giving an inch, trying to find an equalizer to keep their tournament hopes alive.<\/p>\n Martin Baturina competes for the ball against Carlos Harvey of Panama. Photograph: Joosep Martinson\/FIFA\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.49 EDT<\/p>\n 81 min Last change for Croatia<\/a>, and Luka Modri\u0107\u2019s 200th cap ends with a loud ovation. In comes Mario Pasali\u0107, who is not related to Marco Pasali\u0107 as far as I can find.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.42 EDT<\/p>\n 79 min Another corner for Panama<\/a>, this time opting to not play the short route after the last few have gone wasted. Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s looper finds Carlos Harvey beyond the far post, but the Minnesota United midfielder fires his attempt into the side-netting.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 77 min Panama continue to work up their right flank, but Murillo is finally seeming to feel a bit tired.<\/p>\n One sub for Los Canaleros: Jiovany Ramos off, Cecilio Waterman on to add some attacking threat. He scored a late winner against the US in the Concacaf Nations League last March \u2013 does he have more dramatics in tow today?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.37 EDT<\/p>\n Reader Billy is strolling down memory lane as Mateo Kovaci\u0107 takes his seat on the bench\u2026<\/p>\n I remember when Kovaci\u0107 was the future of Croatia<\/a> AFTER Modri\u0107 and Rakitic. Now it looks like him, Modri\u0107 and Perisi\u0107 are on their way out together.<\/p>\n Time truly is a flat circle.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 72 min More subs for Croatia<\/a> as we enter the final quarter\u2026<\/p>\n Marco Pasalic and Mateo Kovacic off Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.32 EDT<\/p>\n Reader Tom just wants it to make sense\u2026<\/p>\n So: there are eight third-placed teams going in the knockouts. There are twelve first-placed teams. It appears, from looking at the pre-tourney brackets, that eight groups were selected to have the group winner face a third-place team, while the winners of the other four group winners drew a second-place team. I haven\u2019t seen a good explanation for this. Is there one?<\/p>\n A great question that I wish I could answer. Best theory I\u2019ve heard is that it was randomly determined, though that doesn\u2019t seem like a great method to give two-thirds of group winners a leg up\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 68 min PANAMA PUSHING FOR AN EQUALIZER! Cristian Mart\u00ednez makes a nifty slide to keep the ball in play to kick off a sequence of in-box passes and attempts that are largely blocked by Croatia<\/a>. Eventually Livakovi\u0107 is called into action for a save, while the ensuing corner forces the goalkeeper to make another stop.<\/p>\n And right on cue, the game grinds to a halt so they can whet their whistles. Ughhhhhhhhh\u2026<\/p>\n Dominik Livakovic makes yet another save to deny Panama. Photograph: Cole Burston\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.31 EDT<\/p>\n 65 min For a team that has really struggled to turn crosses into viable scoring chances, it\u2019s baffling that Panama continue to lean heavily on looping balls from wide areas. Credit to Croatia<\/a> for gumming up the central channels and forcing Panama wide \u2013 it\u2019s working a charm.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 61 min A yellow card shown to B\u00e1rcenas after dropping a shoulder into the side of Luka Modri\u0107.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 57 min NEARLY ANOTHER! Croatia<\/a> had an unimpeded run up the gut available as Panama commits numbers, with Modri\u0107 threading a ball into Pasali\u0107\u2019s stride. The Orlando City man tried to get Mosquera to commit, but the Panama goalkeeper stood his ground long enough to get a hand on a late looping chip by Pasali\u0107. The ball again went into Pasali\u0107\u2019s stride, but his shot near the endline is skied into the seats.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 54 min At long last, and in spite of some wasteful build-up, Croatia<\/a> has found a breakthrough. Marco Pasali\u0107 plays a silky through ball behind his back along the line into Stani\u0161i\u0107\u2019s stride, and the Bayern defender crosses the ball in front of the goalkeeper to the far post. Budimir ran on with perfect timing, slamming the ball into the net with his torso to reward Zlatko Dali\u0107 for his halftime change.<\/p>\n As it stands, Panama<\/a> is 35 minutes (and stoppage) away from elimination.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOAL! Panama 0-1 Croatia (Budimir 54)<\/p>\n Finally! Someone got on the end of a cross!<\/p>\n Ante Budimir scores for Croatia! Photograph: Michael Reaves\/Getty Images Photograph: Beno\u00eet Tessier\/Reuters Photograph: Beno\u00eet Tessier\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.18 EDT<\/p>\n 52 min For a team that\u2019s struggling to get targets in the box during the run of play, very curious to see Panama play their corner kick short. Nothing comes of it, as they dawdled too long to find a better pathway into the box before Croatia<\/a> could clear.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 52 min Loose passes galore for both teams, but Panama<\/a> able to earn a corner kick after another speculative cross by Mart\u00ednez\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 49 min Tense moment for Croatia<\/a> as Dominik Livakovi\u0107 stays on the ground after his foot is stomped launching a ball upfield. Foul wasn\u2019t called, and the goalkeeper is quick to get up after the referee pauses play.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 46 min Two changes for Croatia as play resumes to fix a couple problem areas from the first half. Josko Gvardiol gets a half-time hook as Amir Murillo had his way with their flank, while Petar Musa exits after an ineffective shift leading the line following his goalscoring World Cup<\/a> debut against England.<\/p>\n Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramaric the fresh faces, which may slightly shift the team shape.<\/p>\n Croatia fans watch from the stands as we get back under way in Toronto. Photograph: Ezra Shaw\/FIFA\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.12 EDT<\/p>\n After getting Brazil-Morocco, France-Senegal and Germany-C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, your correspondent doesn\u2019t feel like he has any right to complain about this half. Or else he might.<\/p>\n This has been some strange soccer. Either walking or sprinting, but never anything in between.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A half for enthusiasts of full-back runs up the flank, but neither team is able to turn their bevy of crosses into looks. Both teams have connected on a pair of crosses, with Panama narrowly edging the accuracy contest: 18% to Croatia\u2019s 14%.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>HALF-TIME: PANAMA 0-0 CROATIA<\/p>\n Maybe they\u2019ll find their shooting boots during the team talks!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45+2′ min ATTEMPT! Baturina sends in a shot from beyond the edge of the box but Mosquera dives to protect his near post. The ensuing Croatian corner fails to yield another shot.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min Just the three minutes of additional time due to the drinks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> 45 min In case you\u2019re wondering why there\u2019s suddenly atmosphere at this game\u2026<\/p>\n Dominik Livakovi\u0107 felt things had gotten a little sleepy and whips the Croatian supporters into a frenzy.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 43 min Just about as lively as the first half of Group L\u2019s other match, with Croatia<\/a> and Panama each managing just one shot apiece with halftime nearing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 40 min Murillo is finding plenty of space available up the right flank and dribbles into the box, but there simply haven\u2019t been enough targets for Panama<\/a> to maximize all of these opportunities to cross.<\/p>\n One to monitor: Jos\u00e9 C\u00f3rdoba has been clutching his right side after a hip-to-hip scrap with Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.41 EDT<\/p>\n 36 min Not much scintillating run-of-play stuff yet, but Croatia<\/a> wins a free-kick at the edge of their attacking third. Modri\u0107 plays it short and the pass back is immediately turned over, but Panama is unable to maximize a brief two-on-two break after a poor ball to the flank.<\/p>\n Photograph: Vaughn Ridley\/FIFA\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.44 EDT<\/p>\n 30 min A Croatia<\/a> free kick near the corner flag after B\u00e1rcenas takes down Baturina. Modri\u0107 curls the ball just goal-side of the penalty spot, but Panama are able to clear and force the reigning two-time semifinalist to their own half to regroup.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.31 EDT<\/p>\n 28 min It\u2019s still just a bit plodding for Croatia<\/a>, who are suddenly being outshot by Panama a third of the way through the contest. Panama\u2019s defense is doing well to force Croatia wide and limiting them to speculative crosses. Then again, Petar Musa is a proven option to win headers, arguably the best striker in MLS at present.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fun fact! Luka Modri\u0107\u2019s first cap came in a friendly against Argentina on March 1, 2006. Also notable: that game featured the first international goal from a young Lionel Messi.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 23 min CROSSBAR! Murillo sends in yet another lovely cross after hustling to keep the ball from going out for a goal kick, finding Jos\u00e9 Luis Rodr\u00edguez for a stationed header in the box. Livakovi\u0107 with a bit more to do than he had a minute ago, and is able to push the ball onto the crossbar to keep this scoreless.<\/p>\n And with that, we enter the requisite buzz-killing hydration break.<\/p>\n Dominik Livakovic makes a fine save to deny Panama the opening goal. Photograph: Beno\u00eet Tessier\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.28 EDT<\/p>\n 22 min Another Panamanian scamper! Murillo plays helper in a give-and-go with his captain, Cristian Mart\u00ednez, who carries the ball half the length of the pitch before curling a shot into Livakovi\u0107\u2019s loving grasp.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 18 min This game is finally getting a bit stretched with that pesky hydration break looming! Final five minutes of the quarter, I suppose.<\/p>\n Panama with two speculative waves of pressure, one with a low cross from Amir Murillo in front of goal that goes uncashed and before another direct break fails to yield a goal, while Croatia<\/a> has picked up its rate of progression following Panama\u2019s pressure.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.19 EDT<\/p>\n 15 min You can see Croatia<\/a> looking for the half-spaces but there just… aren\u2019t any, because those Panamanian lines are superglued together. So they\u2019re just trying speculative through balls and crosses instead, which are just easy turnovers.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.16 EDT<\/p>\n 10 min \u2026but no dice, as Yoel B\u00e1rcenas\u2019 outswinger is headed to safety by Croatia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 min Carlos Harvey draws a free kick for Panama<\/a> just over 22 yards from goal and slightly right of center. The midfielder\u2019s dribble toward the center of the field baits Kova\u010di\u0107 into a sliding foul\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 5 min Referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho \u2013 who also worked Iraq-Norway \u2013 has already needed his whistle a few times as both teams try to establish a physical presence. Early, of course, but Croatia<\/a> seem eager to keep most of the ball while Panama is looking to play direct and then advance its lines once the ball is into the opponent\u2019s half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.06 EDT<\/p>\n 2 min Croatia<\/a> creates first with Stani\u0161i\u0107 running up the right and playing a cross to Modri\u0107, whose header goes well over the bar.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 1 min They\u2019re off and trotting in Toronto! A loss would send either team home \u2013 great for neutrals, tense for fans of the teams involved. Panama<\/a> playing left-to-right for those watching at home.<\/p>\n Josko Gvardiol clears the ball from Cristian Martinez. Photograph: Eduardo Lima\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.17 EDT<\/p>\n Ear-splitting cheers from this very pro-Croatia \u2013 Proatia? \u2013 crowd for Luka Modri\u0107. We all know the end is near and there\u2019s a palpable sense in the air that we might all be seeing him for the last time.<\/p>\n Then again, I had that feeling when I saw him in Qatar. So…<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n While Modri\u0107 is the headline starter as he makes his 200th cap, it\u2019ll be worth seeing if Fidel Escobar checks in for Panama<\/a> from the bench, with the defender currently sitting on 99 caps to date. For now, each team has its own quartet of centurions\u2026<\/p>\n Panama Croatia Share<\/a><\/p>\n To clarify the stakes for this contest: although a win would not secure a place in the Round of 32, defeat would eliminate either side with a game left to play.<\/p>\n Group L standings Share<\/a> When Panama-Croatia was originally assigned to Toronto, it was among the (relatively) more affordable games involving a prominent Uefa team with a Cat-3 entry point of $180 (\u20ac158). From there, dynamic pricing did its thing.<\/p>\n Earlier today, Matt Hughes had the exclusive that the US-based staff advised against using the customer-unfriendly pricing model, but were ultimately overruled.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> We also have Leander Schaerlaeckens at the grounds to provide color on Panama-Croatia\u2026<\/p>\n There\u2019s some sappy Croatian power ballad playing and the sea of Croats is going absolutely nuts belting it out. Like, true Eurovision stuff.<\/p>\n We may need hot tea for the hydration break here. It\u2019s positively chilly in the press box.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Lineups: Modri\u0107 earns his 200th cap<\/p>\n A historic moment for the sport as Modri\u0107 becomes the fourth man to earn 200 international caps. Still no Coco Carrasquilla in the lineup as he returns from a pre-tournament knock, though the Pumas midfielder is on the bench.<\/p>\n Panama (3-4-3) Croatia (4-3-3) Luka Modric joins Cristiano Ronaldo, Bader Al-Mutawa, and Lionel Messi in reaching 200 international caps. What an incredible acheivment. Photograph: Cole Burston\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.39 EDT<\/p>\n Coming into the tournament, Croatia<\/a> head coach Zlatko Dalic warned that losing an open match \u201ccan destroy everything\u201d for a team in a major tournament. History informed this dramatic stance, with Croatia opening Euro 2024 with a 3-0 defeat to Spain and subsequently bowing out in the group stage.<\/p>\n 2018\u2019s run to the World Cup<\/a> final kicked off with a win over Nigeria; in 2022, a draw against Morocco put both teams on their paths to the semifinal. Just how destroying will that opening 4-2 loss to England prove to be?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n If Luka Modri\u0107 appears today (and there\u2019s no reason to think he won\u2019t), he\u2019ll become just the fourth man to log 200 international caps. To date, 30 women have played at least 200 international matches.<\/p>\n 1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (230)* *Asterisk to denote an active player<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.05 EDT<\/p>\n Preamble<\/p>\n While Panama and Croatia have never before faced off in a competitive fixture, both men\u2019s national teams have seen their reputations greatly enhanced since the 2018 World Cup<\/a>. For Panama, it was their first trip to a World Cup after finishing above the United States in Concacaf qualifying, a \u201chappy to be here\u201d debut with three defeats and a -9 goal difference. For Croatia, it was the high point of a golden generation, an inspired run to a first World Cup final and a second-place finish to show for their efforts.<\/p>\n Both teams have remained around their confederations\u2019 contending class. Panama has continued to frustrate the US and Mexico as one of the region\u2019s rising challengers, joining Canada and Costa Rica among the usual suspects. Croatia<\/a> struggled at Euro 2020 but rebounded to reach another World Cup semifinal in 2022, settling for third place.<\/p>\n This summer, both squads skew towards the veterans. Panama\u2019s youngest member is 24 years old, while veterans Luka Modri\u0107, Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107, and Andrej Kramari\u0107 fended off more youthful alternatives to add one more tournament to their considerable CVs.<\/p>\n Panama play without fear, no longer among the tournament\u2019s freshest faces, and has the guile and physicality to frustrate any opponent \u2013 but conceding at the death against Ghana has put them under pressure to find a path to the knockouts against a pair of Uefa qualifiers. Croatia were unable to keep stride with England and will be hungry to respond to their own opening defeat.<\/p>\n A comfortable 24\u00baC (75\u00baF) in Toronto as the evening nears. An important Group L clash awaits!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.02 EDT<\/p>\n Jeff will be here shortly. In the meantime, here\u2019s our brief of to know about Panama and Croatia<\/a> before their Group L clash in Toronto.<\/p>\n Panama<\/p>\n La Marea Roja arrive in full voice. After their historic World Cup<\/a> debut at Russia 2018, they mean business this time round, and want to progress from the group. With Michael Murillo leading from the back, the midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla providing a creative spark and the captain, An\u00edbal Godoy, still the heart and soul of the team, Panama are ready to write a new chapter.<\/p>\n Panama look improved in possession and arrived in North America full of confidence off the back of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa Am\u00e9rica and the final of the 2023 Gold Cup.<\/p>\n Croatia<\/p>\n
1) England (4 pts, +2 GD)
2) Ghana (4 pts, +1 GD)
3) Croatia (3 pts, -1 GD)
4) Panama<\/a> (0 pts, -2 GD) \u2013 e<\/p>\n
Petar and Luka Su\u010di\u0107 in. They\u2019re cousins.<\/p>\n![\"Leander](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Leander_Schaerlaeckens.png\")
Leander Schaerlaeckens<\/p>\nLeander Schaerlaeckens<\/p>\nLeander Schaerlaeckens<\/p>\nLeander Schaerlaeckens<\/p>\n
An\u00edbal Godoy (160)
Alberto Quintero (141)
Eric Davis (107)
Yoel B\u00e1rcenas (106)<\/p>\n
Luka Modri\u0107 (200)
Ivan Peri\u0161i\u0107 (156)
Andrej Kramari\u0107 (117)
Mateo Kova\u010di\u0107 (115)<\/p>\n
1. England (4 pts, +2 GD)
2. Ghana (4 pts, +1 GD)
3. Panama (0 pts, -1 GD)
4. Croatia<\/a> (0 pts, -2 GD)<\/p>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782263089_77_Matt_Hughes.png\")
Matt Hughes<\/p>\nLeander Schaerlaeckens<\/p>\n
O. Mosquera
J. C\u00f3rdoba \u2013 C. Blackman \u2013 J. Ramos
A. Andrade \u2013 C. Harvey \u2013 C. Mart\u00ednez \u2013 A. Murillo
J. Rodr\u00edguez \u2013 J. Fajardo \u2013 Y. B\u00e1rcenas (c)<\/p>\n
D. Livakovi\u0107
J. Gvardiol \u2013 M. Pongra\u010di\u0107 \u2013 J. \u0160utalo \u2013 J. Stani\u0161i\u0107
M. Kova\u010di\u0107 \u2013 M. Baturina \u2013 L. Modri\u0107 (c)
I. Peri\u0161i\u0107 \u2013 P. Musa \u2013 M. Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/p>\n
2. Bader Al-Mutawa, Kuwait (202)
3. Lionel Messi, Argentina (201)*
4. Luka Modri\u0107, Croatia<\/a> (199)*
5. Soh Chin Ann, Malaysia (195)<\/p>\n