As the World Cup tournament approaches, Croatia’s head coach Zlatko Dalic has expressed concerns about the impact of losing an early match, stating that such a defeat “can destroy everything” for a team competing at this level. His caution stems from past experiences, notably Croatia’s disappointing start at Euro 2024, where they suffered a 3-0 loss to Spain and were eliminated in the group stage.
In previous World Cups, Croatia’s journey has been marked by contrasting results; they began their 2018 campaign with a victory over Nigeria and secured a draw against Morocco in 2022, both of which set them on paths to the semifinals. The question now arises: how damaging will the opening 4-2 defeat to England turn out to be?
If Luka Modrić takes the field today, he will join an elite group as just the fourth player to achieve 200 international caps, a milestone achieved by only 30 women players to date. Currently, the top players in terms of caps are:
- 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 active players.
Though Panama and Croatia have yet to compete against each other in a significant match, both national teams have seen their profiles elevate since the 2018 World Cup. Panama made their debut in the tournament for the first time, finishing above the United States in the Concacaf qualifiers but ended their journey with three losses and a -9 goal difference. Croatia, in contrast, experienced a high point in their football history, reaching their first World Cup final and finishing in second place.
Both teams have maintained their presence among the competitive ranks of their respective confederations. Panama has continued to challenge the traditional powerhouses, the US and Mexico, while Croatia, after a tough Euro 2020 outing, bounced back to reach another World Cup semifinal in 2022, where they claimed third place.
This summer, both squads feature an experienced lineup. Panama boasts a squad with its youngest player at 24 years old, while Croatia’s veterans—Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić, and Andrej Kramarić—are looking to add one more tournament to their illustrious careers.
Panama has shed its status as one of the tournament’s newcomers and is now equipped with the skill and physicality to challenge any opponent. However, conceding a late goal against Ghana has put pressure on them to secure advancement against two UEFA qualifiers. Conversely, Croatia seeks redemption after their initial loss and is eager to regain momentum.
As the temperature in Toronto settles at a comfortable 24ºC (75ºF), an important Group L clash is on the horizon. Jeff will join shortly for updates. Until then, here’s a quick overview of what to expect from Panama and Croatia ahead of their match.
Panama
La Marea Roja enters this tournament with high spirits. Following their landmark World Cup debut in 2018, they are determined to move beyond the group stage this time. With Michael Murillo anchoring the defense, midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla adding creativity, and captain Aníbal Godoy embodying the team’s spirit, Panama is poised to forge a new legacy.
Having improved their ball possession skills, Panama arrives in North America brimming with confidence, recently reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa América and finishing as runners-up in the 2023 Gold Cup.
Croatia
Croatia ranks among the oldest squads at this World Cup, with a significant portion of their starting lineup in their 30s, including 40-year-old captain Luka Modrić. This wealth of experience brings a winning mentality, but it also raises questions about their physical readiness.
The ability of seasoned players like Modrić, Kovacic (32), Ivan Perišić (37), and Andrej Kramarić (turning 35) to perform at a high level is under scrutiny. Additionally, there are concerns regarding whether younger, less prominent players are prepared to rise to the occasion. Croatia, known for exceeding expectations, faces the challenge of living up to the high standards set by their recent World Cup successes while striving for one final triumphant campaign.
