On a historic evening when Luka Modric, at 40 years old, became the fourth player in men’s football history to reach 200 international caps for Croatia, Ante Budimir emerged as the hero by scoring the decisive goal in a tightly contested match. This victory is crucial for Croatia’s World Cup aspirations.
Budimir’s goal marked the only score of the day in Group L, positioning Zlatko Dalic’s team just a point shy of England and Ghana in the standings. Meanwhile, Panama’s tournament woes continued, as they were eliminated without securing a single point across five World Cup matches, spanning their participation in 2018 and this year.
Modric’s milestone places him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kuwait’s Bader al-Mutawa, having received overwhelming support from Croatia’s passionate fans during the match.
Both teams faced a critical juncture in their World Cup journeys. The Croatian squad, which previously led a nation of under four million to remarkable finishes in the 2018 World Cup final and a third-place finish in 2022, finds itself in dire need of points following a disappointing 4-2 loss to England in their opener.
On the other hand, Panama has crafted a narrative of resilience. This generation of players, many of whom are also past their prime, has propelled the team to new heights in international football, including reaching the knockout stages of the 2024 Copa América by defeating the United States, and advancing to the final of the 2025 Concacaf Nations League.
Under the guidance of Danish-Spanish manager Thomas Christiansen, they have embodied belief, as he stated before the tournament: “Our faith moves mountains.”
However, faith alone cannot compensate for the challenges posed by a defensive strategy that lacks offensive firepower. Panama has yet to find the back of the net in this World Cup, narrowly losing to Ghana in their opener after conceding a goal in the dying moments of the match.
The first half of the contest unfolded at a measured pace, as Panama invited Croatia to penetrate their densely packed 5-4-1 formation. Whenever Croatia attempted to breach their defenses, Panama countered with quick transitions but struggled with precision, often sending crosses toward an isolated José Fajardo.
Croatia’s attempts to capitalize on these moments typically resulted in crosses aimed at Panama’s stout defense or trying to exploit the speed of 37-year-old Ivan Perisic. The closest either team came to scoring in the first half was when Cristian Martínez directed a shot directly at Dominik Livakovic, and Amir Murillo connected with a header that Livakovic deflected off the crossbar.
In total, the first half produced a mere three shots with an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.11.
The breakthrough occurred in the 54th minute when Josip Stanisic, following a superb through ball from Marco Pasalic, sent in a cross that Budimir, a substitute at halftime, deftly converted at the far post.
With this goal, Panama was forced to push forward, creating larger gaps in their defense. Modric soon sent Pasalic into space on a subsequent Croatian break, but he was thwarted by Mosquera and then missed the target on a challenging rebound.
Livakovic once again showcased his skills as a reliable goalkeeper, making several key saves against Panama’s attempts from close range. However, as the match progressed, Panama’s efforts dwindled to desperate attempts and ineffective corner kicks.
Despite their faith, the mountain remained unyielding.
If both teams came to North America for a final hurrah, one will exit against England on Saturday, regardless of the outcome, while the other may continue. Modric, who was substituted to thunderous applause in the 81st minute, has the opportunity to extend his impressive cap total, further etching his legacy in the history of Croatian football.
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