Budimir goal knocks Panama out as Croatia stays alive in Group L

Ante Budimir scored early in the second half to give Croatia a 1-0 win over Panama in World Cup Group L on Tuesday, Reuters reported. The result eliminated Panama from contention and left Croatia able to secure a top-two finish by beating Ghana in its final group match.

Reuters reported that Budimir, sent on at half-time, struck in the 54th minute at Toronto Stadium. The goal was the 34-year-old forward’s first at a World Cup and his fifth in a competitive match for Croatia.

Croatia entered the match needing a result after a difficult start to the group, according to Reuters. The win put Croatia on three points, still third in Group L, before Saturday’s game against Ghana in Philadelphia.

Panama remained without a point through two matches at the 2026 tournament, Reuters reported. The Central American side also lost 1-0 to Ghana in its opener in Toronto last week and has now gone five matches in World Cup history without earning a point.

Reuters reported that Panama played its first two games of the tournament without injured playmaker Adalberto Carrasquilla. Even so, its goal difference after two matches is six goals better than it was at the same stage of its first World Cup appearance in 2018.

Budimir’s goal came from Croatia’s strongest move of the match to that point, according to Reuters. Josip Stanisic and Marco Pasalic worked the ball down the right side before Stanisic delivered a cross toward the top of the six-yard box.

Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera dived to cut out the ball but could not get to it, Reuters reported. Budimir arrived at the far post and steered his finish into an empty net.

The match opened up after the goal, according to Reuters. Three minutes later, Croatia captain Luka Modric sent Pasalic through on goal from his own half, but Mosquera came off his line to block the first shot and Pasalic put the rebound wide from a tight angle.

Panama then forced Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic into three saves in less than a minute, Reuters reported. The best of them came when Livakovic jumped to stop Carlos Harvey’s header from a corner delivered to the back post.

Reuters reported that the second-half hydration break followed that attacking spell and appeared to slow Panama’s push. Livakovic was not seriously tested in the closing stages.

Panama will finish its group schedule against England on Saturday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, according to Reuters. Earlier Tuesday, England and Ghana drew 0-0, leaving both teams on four points.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.