As the tournament unfolds, Croatia’s head coach, Zlatko Dalic, cautioned that a loss in an open match “can destroy everything” for a team competing at this level. This perspective is shaped by their past experiences, notably a 3-0 defeat to Spain in Euro 2024, which led to an early exit from the group stage.
In previous World Cup campaigns, Croatia’s journey has varied significantly; their 2018 tournament began with a victory over Nigeria, while in 2022, a draw against Morocco set both teams on a path to the semifinals. The question now looms: how detrimental will their opening 4-2 defeat to England prove to be?
If Luka Modrić plays today (and there are no indications to the contrary), he will join an elite group as just the fourth player to reach 200 international caps. To date, a total of 30 women have achieved this milestone in international football.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (230)* 2. Bader Al-Mutawa, Kuwait (202) 3. Lionel Messi, Argentina (201)* 4. Luka Modrić, Croatia (199)* 5. Soh Chin Ann, Malaysia (195)
* Asterisk indicates an active player
While Panama and Croatia have yet to face each other in a competitive match, both nations have seen their footballing stature grow since the 2018 World Cup. For Panama, that event marked their inaugural World Cup experience after surpassing the United States in Concacaf qualifying, resulting in a debut that ended with three losses and a -9 goal difference. In contrast, Croatia celebrated a remarkable run that culminated in their first World Cup final, securing a second-place finish.
Both teams continue to be strong contenders within their respective confederations. Panama has positioned itself as a formidable opponent to the United States and Mexico, joining Canada and Costa Rica among the region’s notable challengers. Meanwhile, Croatia faced challenges at Euro 2020 but rebounded with a semifinal appearance in 2022, ultimately claiming third place.
This summer, both teams feature a blend of veteran experience. Panama’s squad includes a 24-year-old as their youngest member, while Croatia boasts seasoned players like Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić, and Andrej Kramarić, who have chosen to extend their illustrious careers by participating in another tournament.
Panama approaches this match unburdened by expectations, no longer the tournament’s newcomers. Their mix of tactical awareness and physical prowess allows them to pose challenges to any opponent; however, conceding a late goal to Ghana has heightened their urgency to secure a path to the knockout stages against two UEFA qualifiers. Croatia, having fallen short against England, is eager to bounce back from their own initial setback.
The weather in Toronto is a comfortable 24ºC (75ºF) as evening approaches, setting the stage for a crucial Group L encounter!
Jeff will join shortly, but in the meantime, here’s a brief overview of what you need to know about Panama and Croatia before their showdown in Toronto.
Panama
La Marea Roja arrives with enthusiasm. Following their groundbreaking World Cup debut in Russia 2018, they are determined to make an impact this time and aim to advance from the group stage. With Michael Murillo anchoring the defense, midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla offering creativity, and captain Aníbal Godoy serving as the team’s heartbeat, Panama is ready to embark on a new journey.
Demonstrating improved control of the ball, Panama has entered North America with confidence after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa América and the final of the 2023 Gold Cup.
Croatia
Croatia is one of the older teams in this World Cup, with many starters in their 30s and captain Luka Modrić at 40. This brings a wealth of experience and a strong winning mentality, but it also raises some concerns.
Can the veteran core of Modrić, Kovacic (32), Ivan Perišić (37), and Andrej Kramarić (turning 35) maintain their performance levels? Are the younger, less experienced players ready to step into the spotlight? Croatia has a history of exceeding expectations, and the high standards set by their performances in the last two World Cups create immense pressure. Yet, they appear committed to delivering one final standout performance.
