Croatia beat Panama 1-0, Modric marks 200th cap in FIFA WC 2026
Synopsis
Luka Modric's 200th international cap became a night to remember as Croatia edged Panama 1-0 at Toronto Stadium, banking their first World Cup 2026 points while sending Los Canaleros home. A 54th-minute Budimir strike and an inspired Livakovic display were the difference — keeping Croatia's deep tournament ambitions firmly intact.
Key Takeaways
Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 in Group L of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Toronto Stadium on 24 June .
Ante Budimir (substitute) scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute from Josip Stanisic 's low cross.
Luka Modric celebrated his 200th international cap , having featured in each of Croatia's last 21 World Cup matches since 2006.
Panama are eliminated from the tournament with one group game remaining, failing to earn a single point.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made a crucial save from Jose Luis Rodriguez 's header in the 23rd minute , keeping the match goalless at half-time.
Croatia secured their first points of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Panama in Group L at Toronto Stadium on 24 June, simultaneously confirming Los Canaleros' elimination from the tournament with one group game still to play. The victory also provided the perfect backdrop for captain Luka Modric, who celebrated his landmark 200th international cap with a winning performance on the global stage.
Key Developments
The match turned on a moment of quality in the 54th minute, when substitute Ante Budimir tucked in at the back post after Josip Stanisic delivered a precise low cross from the right flank. It was the only goal of the game and proved enough for Croatia to bank three crucial points in a tight group.
The result means Panama are eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with one game remaining, unable to register even a single point in their campaign.
Panama's First-Half Dominance
The contest was far from straightforward for Croatia. Panama were the better side in the opening 45 minutes and came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute, when Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic produced a superb reflex save to tip Jose Luis Rodriguez's powerful header on to the crossbar.
Croatia established greater control after the interval, creating the platform from which Budimir's decisive finish emerged.
Livakovic Stands Tall
Panama continued to threaten in the second half, but found Livakovic in inspired form. The Croatian shot-stopper denied the Central American side repeatedly, including a crucial double save that kept the scoreline intact. Marco Pasalic also missed a glorious opportunity to double Croatia's advantage in the 57th minute, first denied by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera before blazing the rebound off target.
Modric's Historic Milestone
Luka Modric has now featured in each of Croatia's last 21 matches at the FIFA World Cup, a sequence stretching back to their second group-stage game against Japan at the 2006 World Cup. His 200th cap is a testament to a career that has redefined Croatian football, and the captain marked the occasion in fitting fashion — with a win at the sport's grandest stage.
Croatia's pedigree, well-established through their 2018 World Cup final appearance and 2022 third-place finish, once again surfaced at a critical juncture, keeping their Group L campaign alive heading into the final round of fixtures.
Point of View
Capable of absorbing pressure and converting a single moment of quality into three points. The real question heading into their final group game is whether this performance signals a team finding form or one that will be exposed by stronger opposition. Panama's elimination, meanwhile, underlines the brutal gap that still exists between CONCACAF's second tier and established European sides at the World Cup.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Croatia vs Panama in FIFA World Cup 2026?
Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 in their Group L fixture at Toronto Stadium on 24 June . The win gave Croatia their first points of the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Who scored for Croatia against Panama?
Substitute Ante Budimir scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute , converting at the back post from Josip Stanisic 's low cross from the right.
What milestone did Luka Modric achieve in this match?
Luka Modric earned his 200th international cap for Croatia in this match. He has now featured in each of Croatia's last 21 FIFA World Cup matches , a run dating back to the 2006 World Cup against Japan.
Are Panama eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Yes, Panama are eliminated from the 2026 World Cup following this defeat, with one group game still remaining. They have failed to earn a single point in the tournament.
How did Dominik Livakovic perform against Panama?
Dominik Livakovic was Croatia's standout performer, making a crucial save in the 23rd minute to tip Jose Luis Rodriguez 's header on to the crossbar and denying Panama on multiple occasions in the second half.
