Croatia secure second place in Group L with a hard-fought victory over Ghana. Petar Sučić opens the scoring with a stunning strike before Nikola Vlašić heads home the late winner after Derrick Luckassen had briefly leveled for the Black Stars.
Match Report
Croatia are through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.
Zlatko Dalić’s side defeated Ghana 2-1 to finish second in Group L behind England, avoiding the uncertainty of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams. It was far from a spectacular performance, but the Croatians delivered when it mattered most.
The opening stages offered few chances until Nikola Vlašić rattled the post with a powerful long-range effort in the 16th minute. Croatia gradually grew into the match and found the breakthrough just after the half-hour mark. Mateo Kovačić picked out Petar Sučić on the edge of the area, and the midfielder unleashed a superb strike into the corner beyond Benjamin Asare.
Ghana struggled to respond before halftime, with Antoine Semenyo’s low effort narrowly missing the target in what proved to be their only meaningful opportunity of the opening 45 minutes.
Carlos Queiroz’s halftime adjustments changed the momentum. The Black Stars became more aggressive and eventually thought they had equalized in the 73rd minute through Derrick Luckassen. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded after a VAR review confirmed the player in an offside position had not interfered with play.
With qualification suddenly hanging in the balance, Croatia responded immediately. Asare produced a magnificent save to deny Marco Pašalić, but moments later Luka Modrić’s corner found Nikola Vlašić, whose powerful header restored Croatia’s lead in the 83rd minute.
The Croatians managed the closing minutes professionally to secure all three points and advance as Group L runners-up. Ghana, despite the defeat, finish third with four points and remain in contention for a place in the knockout stage among the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Match Report
Croatia 2-1 Ghana
Scorers: 32′ P. Sučić, 73′ Luckassen, 83′ Vlašić
Croatia (4-2-3-1): Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić (88′ Gvardiol), Perišić; Modrić, Kovačić (78′ Marco Pašalić); Vlašić, Petar Sučić, Baturina (88′ Mario Pašalić); Budimir (66′ Matanović).
Coach: Zlatko Dalić
Ghana (4-3-3): Asare; Senaya, Adjetey (46′ Peprah), Luckassen, Mensah; Partey, Owusu (46′ Fatawu), Sibo (85′ Yirenkyi); Sulemana (71′ Nuamah), Ayew (71′ Thomas-Asante), Semenyo.
Coach: Carlos Queiroz
Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada)
Booked: Perišić, Peprah
Group L Final Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 7 | Qualified |
| 2 | Croatia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 | Qualified |
| 3 | Ghana | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Waiting |
| 4 | Panama | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -5 | Eliminated |
