Budimir goal edges Croatia past Panama at the World Cup

Budimir fires Croatia past Panama, but it was tight

Your team got the job done. Barely. Croatia 1–0 Panama on Tuesday and Ante Budimir scored the goal that keeps the round-of-32 alive (2). Zlatko Dalic did not sugarcoat it: "I didn't expect that it was going to be such a difficult match, to be quite honest" (2). The win was the only thing that mattered, but the performance left questions.

Modric hits 200 caps on a landmark night

Luka Modric became the first Croatian to reach 200 international appearances (3). The captain started against Panama and walked off having set a mark nobody else in the national team's history has touched. Kickoff in Toronto belonged to him, even on a night when the football did not sparkle.

Baturina's dribbling stat turns heads

Martin Baturina completed six dribbles with a 100% success rate against Panama. Only three other players this century have done that in a World Cup match while attempting more than five (Reddit). It is a footnote that fans are already holding up as a sign of what this midfield can become.

What it means for the group

Ghana also have three points after their own result. Croatia's round-of-32 hopes now run through that fixture. The 4–2 defeat to England in the opener means goal difference is not friendly, so three points against Ghana becomes the clearest path forward. Nothing less will feel safe.

Fan-reaktioner

Croatian fans on Reddit are torn. The relief at three points is genuine, but the performance has people worried. The Baturina stat is getting shared everywhere, that kind of control on the ball in a World Cup match is rare, and supporters are treating it like a promise of what is coming. Join the discussion here.