Croatia secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Panama on Tuesday at the Toronto stadium in a Group L encounter of the FIFA World Cup, keeping their hopes alive of advancing to the knockout stage. The match marked an important turnaround for Croatia, who had opened their campaign with a 4-2 defeat against England. The only goal came in the second half from substitute Ante Budimir, who expressed satisfaction at scoring his first World Cup goal and helping his team claim three vital points.
“We have started in this tournament and hope we draw the right lessons and continue to build on this victory,” Budimir said after the match. Croatia currently sit third in the group with three points, behind England and Ghana, who both have four points, with England leading on goal difference. Their next match is against Ghana on Saturday in Philadelphia.
The victory also coincided with a personal milestone for Croatian captain Luka Modric, who earned his 200th international cap during the game. Modric, 40, was celebrated by his teammates after the final whistle. Budimir praised the veteran midfielder as “a great player and a great person,” highlighting the significance of reaching such a milestone with a win.
Panama’s defeat effectively ended their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds, as they needed at least a draw to remain in contention. The Central American team, coached by Thomas Christiansen, suffered their second narrow 1-0 loss — having previously been edged by Ghana in stoppage time. Christiansen commended his players’ determination and saw the World Cup experience as an opportunity to showcase Panama’s talent on the global stage.
“I think we need to congratulate them and be proud of how Panama has played against a world power such as Croatia,” Christiansen said through a translator. He also expressed hope that the performances would open doors for Panamanian players to join stronger leagues and clubs around the world. Despite the disappointing results, the Danish coach remained optimistic about the future prospects for his squad, stating that the players’ careers could be significantly enhanced by their World Cup exposure.
Panama, which has yet to earn points in this tournament after suffering losses in its previous matches, will conclude their World Cup campaign against England in the United States. Christiansen also praised the hospitality extended by the Canadian host city, describing the reception in Toronto as “amazing.”
The match underscored the challenges facing both teams, with Croatia striving to regain their form after an opening defeat and Panama eager to make a lasting impression despite their early exit from the tournament.