In a memorable match where Luka Modric celebrated his 200th cap for Croatia at the age of 40, Ante Budimir emerged as the hero by scoring the decisive goal that kept Croatia’s World Cup hopes alive.
This solitary strike proved to be the only goal in Group L on a day when Croatia positioned themselves just a point behind England and Ghana. Conversely, Panama faced elimination, remaining without a point in their last five World Cup appearances, which include the tournaments in 2018 and this year.
Modric’s milestone places him alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kuwait’s Bader al-Mutawa, marking a significant achievement in international football. The Croatian fans provided an electric atmosphere, celebrating their captain’s remarkable career.
Both teams faced pressure in what could be a pivotal moment in their campaigns. The Croatian squad, which had previously led their nation of fewer than four million to the finals in 2018 and secured third place in 2022, urgently needed points after suffering a 4-2 loss to England in their opener.
On the other hand, Panama’s current group has quietly carved out a noteworthy narrative in international football. This generation, many of whom are over 30, has led the nation to unprecedented achievements, including reaching the knockout stages of the 2024 Copa América and the finals of the 2025 Concacaf Nations League.
Throughout their journey, Panama has displayed a pragmatic approach, prioritizing defensive discipline while effectively counter-attacking. Their strategy often involved a strong defensive line, which allowed them to absorb pressure and strike back when opportunities arose.
Before the tournament, their Danish-Spanish coach, Thomas Christiansen, expressed confidence in his team’s potential, stating, “Our faith moves mountains.”
However, limitations in offensive capabilities have hindered Panama’s efforts. They have yet to find the back of the net in this World Cup, narrowly missing a chance against Ghana when a late goal sealed their fate.
The first half of the game was marked by a lack of rhythm, with Panama allowing Croatia to advance into their territory, relying on a compact 5-4-1 formation. When Croatia pressed, Panama would quickly transition forward with long balls, but their attempts often lacked precision.
Croatia’s approach primarily revolved around sending crosses into Panama’s stout defense, or attempting to break through with veteran Ivan Perisic leading the charge. The closest either team came to scoring in the first half was a shot from Cristian Martínez, saved by Dominik Livakovic, and a powerful header from José Luis Rodríguez that was deflected off the crossbar.
The first half concluded with a combined total of three shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of only 0.11.
The game opened up in the 54th minute when Josip Stanisic received a precise pass from Marco Pasalic and delivered a cross that Budimir, who had come on as a substitute, skillfully finished at the far post.
With their confidence renewed, Panama began to push forward, creating larger gaps in their defense. Modric soon set up Pasalic to exploit this space, but he was thwarted by goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, who made a crucial save.
Livakovic continued to shine, making several important stops against Panama’s attempts. However, as time wore on, the Panamanian offense dwindled to desperate efforts and ineffective corner kicks.
The faith displayed by both sides could not alter the course of the match.
As this veteran core of both teams competes in what could be their final World Cup outing, one will exit the tournament after their encounter with England on Saturday, while the other will continue their journey. Modric, who left the pitch to a rousing ovation after 81 minutes, may yet add more caps to his already impressive total, further cementing his legacy in Croatian football.
- World Cup 2026
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