Modric hits milestone as Croatia eliminate Panama

Former World Cup finalists Croatia boosted their chances of making it through to the last 32 of this year’s edition after sneaking past slippery Panama 1-0 at Toronto Stadium early Wednesday morning, the same day their star player Luka Modric hit 200 national team caps.

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In a match that took a while to get going, it was Zlatko Dalić’s side that took the honors after needing an early second half goal by substitute Ante Budimir, to move third in Group L, effectively knocking out Panama from the competition.

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Having flattered to deceive in the first half, Dalic made two changes at the break, introducing the pair of Budimir and Andrej Kramaric, to ignite his side that had only created one chance in the opening 45.

His call was right on cue, as the Osasuna man ended up on the back-end of a flowing move from Croatia in the 54th minute, bundling in a fine cross from Josip Stanišić to score what ended up being the crucial winner.

Up until then, both teams had been industrious but lacking inspiration, with all of their work being undone by sloppy passes, or indecision.

Panama, looking for their first win in World Cup history, started the more brighter, and could easily have found themselves in the driving seat inside the 16th minute, when striker José Fajardo missed a fizzing low cross from Amir Murillo.

Five minutes later, Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković was forced to push a Jose Luiz Rodriguez header onto the post, but for the referee to flag the incoming ball to have gone out of play.

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It would take till the second minute of first half stoppage time for Croatia to get their first shot on target, when Como’s Martin Barturina hit a low swivel-shot, but for Orlando Mosquera to come up with an important stop.

With things looking rather bland for Croatia, Dalic hit the right notes at the break, and was duly rewarded with a quick goal, and more enterprise from his side, who needed a win after their heavy defeat to England last week.

Just two minutes after the opener, Marco Pašalić would have made it two for Croatia, but was unfortunate to see his lob blocked by Mosquera, before lashing a rebound high into the skies.

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With pride to fight for, Panama did not go down easy, as they pushed for an equalizer, backed by their loud fanbase in the facility.

Their reward would have come in the 67th minute, when Murillo had a go from the right byline, but shot straight at Livakovic. From the resulting corner, the Fenerbahçe goalkeeper would be forced to stretch, tipping over a header from Carlos Harvey, that was headed goalwards.

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With fatigue kicking in, Dalic again dug into his bench, and thanks to the old-guard experience that has characterized his side, managed to see out the win, which should prove vital come their final group tie against Ghana on Sunday, 28 June.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)

Group L

Tuesday 23.06.

England - Ghana 0-0

Wednesday 24.06.

Panama - Croatia 0-1 (0-0)

/Budimir 54/