World Cup 2026 Croatia Beat Panama as Modric Hits 200 Caps

CROATIA · WORLD CUP

On the night Luka Modric won his 200th cap, Croatia finally found their feet. A Budimir goal beat a brave Panama and breathed life back into their World Cup.

World Cup 2026 Croatia edge a brave Panama

Croatia beat Panama one-nil at Toronto Stadium to kick-start their World Cup. The win lifted Zlatko Dalic’s side off the bottom of Group L.

Group L is one of several groups in the expanded tournament format, where teams compete in a first round before advancing to knockout stages. Being at the bottom meant Croatia had been in real danger of an early exit.

Ante Budimir, on as a substitute, settled it in the fifty-fourth minute. He tucked in at the back post after a low cross from Josip Stanisic.

For Panama, defeat confirmed their elimination with a game still to play. They had pushed Croatia hard and deserved more from the contest.

The result was also a personal milestone for Luka Modric. The veteran captain was making his 200th appearance for his country.

How the match unfolded

Panama were the better side in a goalless first half. They went close in the twenty-third minute when Jose Luis Rodriguez powered a header towards the top corner.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic did superbly to tip that effort onto the crossbar. It was the closest either side came before the interval.

The save underlined how fine the margins were in a match where Croatia were struggling to impose themselves. A goal at that moment could have changed the entire trajectory of both teams’ tournaments.

Croatia established more of a foothold after the break, and Budimir struck soon after the hour. Marco Pasalic then spurned a glorious chance to double the lead three minutes later.

Panama kept probing but found Livakovic in inspired form between the posts. The official result and statistics are confirmed on FIFA’s match centre, which recorded the win as a one-nil Group L result.

Modric’s 200th cap, by the numbers

Modric became the latest great to reach 200 international caps, a club very few footballers ever join. He marked it with a win on the game’s biggest stage.

An international cap refers to each appearance a player makes for their national team in an official match. Reaching 200 caps represents nearly two decades of consistent selection at the highest level.

FIFA noted that the midfielder has now featured in each of Croatia’s last twenty-one World Cup matches. That run stretches back to a group game against Japan in 2006.

At forty, Modric remains the heartbeat of this side. His longevity has bridged Croatia’s run to the 2018 final and their third-place finish in 2022.

Croatia will hope there is one more deep run left in their captain. On this evidence, they will go as far as he can carry them.

Panama’s painful World Cup record

For Panama, the defeat extended a grim run at football’s biggest tournament. By The Rio Times’ count, they have now lost all five World Cup matches they have ever played.

Three of those losses came in their debut campaign in Russia in 2018. The other two have come in the space of five days at this tournament.

Los Canaleros are still chasing a first-ever World Cup point. They came agonisingly close here, only to be undone by a single moment of quality.

Los Canaleros means “The Canal Men” in Spanish, a nickname that reflects Panama’s identity as home to the famous Panama Canal. In World Cup group stages, teams earn three points for a win and one point for a draw.

There was pride in the performance, even so. Cristian Martinez was named player of the match for a tireless Panama display.

What comes next

Croatia, now on three points, are back in contention in Group L. They face Ghana on June 27 in a match that could decide their fate.

A win would very likely send them through to the last 32. Defeat could still send them home, depending on results elsewhere.

The last 32 is the first knockout round in the expanded World Cup format, where losing teams are immediately eliminated. Group stage matches allow for draws, but knockout rounds require a winner.

Panama close their tournament against England in a dead rubber for them. The Rio Times expects them to chase that elusive maiden point with nothing to lose.

Both Group L deciders kick off on June 27. England and Ghana, level on four points, hold the advantage.

The question now is whether Croatia can summon the form that carried them so deep in recent tournaments. Will Modric have one final chapter to write, or will this World Cup mark the end of an era for Croatian football?

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score in World Cup 2026 Croatia vs Panama?

Croatia won one-nil at Toronto Stadium. Ante Budimir scored the only goal in the fifty-fourth minute.

Why was the game significant for Luka Modric?

It was Modric’s 200th appearance for Croatia. He celebrated the milestone with a hard-fought victory.

Are Panama out of the World Cup 2026?

Yes. The defeat confirmed their elimination with one group game still to play.

Have Panama ever won a World Cup match?

No. They have lost all five World Cup matches across 2018 and 2026 and are still seeking a first point.

Who do Croatia play next at the World Cup 2026?

Croatia face Ghana on June 27 in their final Group L match. A win would likely secure a place in the last 32.