There was a lot at stake in Toronto, with the loser of the match eliminated from the World Cup. Both teams made early runs in the opening 10 minutes. Panama earned a free kick just outside the box, but Croatia headed it out of bounds and Panama had to reset its push toward goal off a sideline inbound play.
Scoreless at Halftime
Panama and Croatia remained scoreless at halftime, 0-0. Panama created one shot, while Croatia earned two shots with one on goal. While there were few chances, both teams moved with urgency because the loser of this game was eliminated from the World Cup.
Croatia Breaks Through in the Second Half
Both teams were disciplined during the first 10 minutes of the second half, with no breakthroughs allowed on either side. Panama earned a corner kick in the 52nd minute, but the short kick and attempt at build up was deflected by Croatia and did not ultimately lead to a shot.
Forward Ante Budimir replaced forward Petar Musa, and forward Andrej Kramaric replaced defender Josko Gvardiol. Croatia had controlled possession about 64% of the game, but none of the runs toward goal led to quality looks at goal until the 53rd minute.
Josip Stanisic dribbled up the right side and delivered a perfect ball into the box. Ante Budimir buried the ball into the back of the net, and Croatian fans in Toronto Stadium erupted, celebrating the hard earned goal. The score stood Croatia 1, Panama 0 in the 58th minute.
CROATIA TAKES THE LEAD 🇭🇷The 2nd half sub Ante Budimir scores off the beautiful cross from Josip Stanišić!
In the 57th minute, Croatia stole the ball at the top of the box from Panama after a corner kick. Marco Pasalic ran free up the middle of the field and tried to get the Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera to commit before shooting. Pasalic's shot was blocked and he skied the putback over the top of goal.
Panama could not turn a corner kick into a viable shot on goal late. Panama couldn't make the most of a free kick in stoppage time and lost 1-0 to Croatia. It was Panama's second 1-0 loss of the tournament, ending the team's chance of advancing at the World Cup.
Croatia still has work to do during its final group stage match, but it did put itself in stronger position with a win going into its showdown with Ghana.
Ghana Holds England to a 0-0 Draw
England and Ghana finished 0-0. Ghana has pulled off a remarkable tie with England, securing one point and keeping its hope of advancing out of the group stage alive.
England poured on shots before the teams remained scoreless at a hydration break. Late in the second half, with the score still 0-0 in the 86th minute, Harry Kane held his hands on his head after an England shot hit the crossbar and fell to Kane's feet in front of goal. He skied the ball over goal and was clearly frustrated by the fumbled opportunity.
The team had to weather four England corner kicks in stoppage time alone. During the sixth England corner of the game, the ball sailed over the English line of bodies and out of bounds. Harry Kane may have mistimed his leap for a potential header on the play.
During the seventh England corner, the ball bounced around the box and was headed out by Ghana. During the eighth England corner, the Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare punched the ball out of bounds. And during the ninth England corner, England fouled Ghana in the box and Ghana earned a free kick.
Asare was credited with three saves after facing three shots on goal, but he did well to direct the Ghana defense to prevent England from getting clean looks at goal.
Featured names
- Croatia Tuesday
- Josip Stanisic
- Ante Budimir
- Marco Pasalic
- Orlando Mosquera
- Josip Stanisic
- Forward Ante
- Andrej Kramaric
- Josko Gvardiol
- Benjamin Asare
- Forward Fatawu
- Forward Anthony
- Caleb Yirenkyi
- Toronto Panama
- Foxborough England
