Predictions
Croatia 1-0 Panama: Budimir's Bench Header Revives Croatia, Ends Panama's Run
Croatia were running out of ideas until Zlatko Dalić went to his bench. Ante Budimir's second-half header beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto, reviving the 2018 finalists and sending Panama out of the World Cup.
Croatia needed a spark, and it came from the bench. Ante Budimir, sent on at half-time, rose to head home a Josip Stanišić cross in the 54th minute to give Croatia a 1-0 win over Panama at BMO Field in Toronto — a result that revives the 2018 finalists’ campaign and eliminates Panama from the 2026 World Cup.
A half-time switch that worked
After a slow, scoreless first half, manager Zlatko Dalić rolled the dice at the interval, withdrawing Petar Musa and Joško Gvardiol for Budimir and Andrej Kramarić. The change paid off almost immediately. Nine minutes after coming on, the 34-year-old Budimir bundled home Stanišić’s excellent delivery at the back post — and in doing so became Croatia’s oldest World Cup goalscorer.
Panama did not fold. Their best spell came just past the hour, with three chances in quick succession around the 67th minute to level the tie. Each time they were denied by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, who produced a trio of fine saves to protect the lead.
What it means
The win lifts Croatia to three points in Group L and keeps their hopes of another deep run firmly alive — the Vatreni reached the final in 2018 and the semifinals in 2022. The night also marked another landmark appearance for captain Luka Modrić, still pulling the strings in midfield.
For Panama, it is the end of the road. Defeat confirms their elimination from the tournament, a harsh outcome for a side that pushed Croatia hard and came within Livaković’s gloves of a famous point.
Bottom line
Dalić’s gamble, Budimir’s header and Livaković’s saves added up to a vital three points. Croatia are back in business in Group L; Panama bow out with their heads high. For how the matchup looked beforehand, see our Panama vs Croatia preview, and the full slate in our June 23 recap.
Result, scorer and match details are per the FIFA match centre and multiple major outlets (Sky Sports, Yahoo Sports, Al Jazeera, Goal). This report contains only confirmed facts and no estimated scores.