Panama v Croatia: World Cup 2026 – live | World Cup 2026
Key occasions
Coming into the event, Croatia Head coach Zlatko Dalic warned that shedding an open match “can destroy everything” for a group in a serious event. History knowledgeable this dramatic stance, with Croatia opening Euro 2024 with a 3-0 defeat to Spain and subsequently bowing out within the group stage.
2018’s run to the World Cup last kicked off with a win over Nigeria; in 2022, a draw in opposition to Morocco put each groups on their paths to the semifinal. Just how destroying will that opening 4-2 loss to England show to be?
If Luka Modrić seems at this time (and there is no purpose to suppose he will not), he’ll turn into simply the fourth man to log 200 worldwide caps. To date, 30 ladies have performed no less than 200 worldwide matches.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (230)*
2. Bader Al-Mutawa, Kuwait (202)
3. Lionel Messi, Argentina (201)*
4. Luka Modrić, Croatia (199)*
5. Soh Chin Ann, Malaysia (195)
*Asterisk to indicate an energetic participant
Preamble
While Panama and Croatia have by no means earlier than confronted off in a aggressive fixture, each males’s nationwide groups have seen their reputations significantly enhanced because the 2018 World Cup. For Panama, it was their first journey to a World Cup after ending above the United States in Concacaf qualifying, a “happy to be here” debut with three defeats and a -9 aim distinction. For Croatia, it was the excessive level of a golden technology, an impressed run to a primary World Cup last and a second-place end to indicate for his or her efforts.
Both groups have remained round their confederations’ contending class. Panama has continued to frustrate the US and Mexico as one of many area’s rising challengers, becoming a member of Canada and Costa Rica among the many standard suspects. Croatia Struggled at Euro 2020 however rebounded to succeed in one other World Cup semifinal in 2022, settling for third place.
This summer season, each squads skew in the direction of the veterans. Panama’s youngest member is 24 years previous, whereas veterans Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić, and Andrej Kramarić fend off younger options so as to add another event to their appreciable CVs.
Panama play with out concern, now not among the many event’s freshest faces, and has the guile and physicality to frustrate any opponent – however conceding on the dying in opposition to Ghana has put them underneath stress to discover a path to the knockouts in opposition to a pair of Uefa qualifiers. Croatia had been unable to maintain stride with England and shall be hungry to reply to their very own opening defeat.
A snug 24ºC (75ºF) in Toronto because the night nears. An vital Group L conflict awaits!
Jeff shall be right here shortly. In the meantime, this is our transient to learn about Panama and Croatia earlier than their Group L conflict in Toronto.
Panama
The Red Tide arrives in full voice. After their historical past World Cup debut at Russia 2018, they imply enterprise this time spherical, and wish to progress from the group. With Michael Murillo main from the again, the midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla offering a artistic spark and the captain, Aníbal Godoy, nonetheless the center and soul of the group, Panama are prepared to jot down a brand new chapter.
Panama look improved in possession and arrived in North America filled with confidence off the again of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa América and the ultimate of the 2023 Gold Cup.
Croatia
Croatia are among the many oldest groups at this World Cupwith roughly half or extra of their starters into their 30s and the captain, Luka Modric, now 40. That means a great deal of expertise and a successful mentality but additionally raises some uneasy questions.
Can the previous guard of Modric, Kovacic (32), Ivan Perisic (37) and Andrej Kramaric (turning 35) nonetheless minimize it? Are the youthful, lesser-known gamers able to step up? Croatia have been used to punching above their weight and their success on the previous two World Cups has set the bar impossibly excessive, however they appear decided to ship one final hurrah.
